You Think You Know The Story, I'm Pretty Sure You Don't! "The Cabin In The Woods" (Review)

[zombie10]

Today was opening day for Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon's very long awaited film The Cabin In The Woods. After being in post-production hell when MGM went bankrupt some thought that this film would never see the day of light. Soon enough MGM started getting(and still is) their act together and sold the distribution rights to Lionsgate Entertainment distribution company who finally got the film out into the world. Now that you have a little history,onto the film itself. If you notice on the poster it says "you think you know the story" and I can guarantee that you don't after seeing this feature.

The movie is set to start out like you're very typical horror movie with a group of teens taking a roadtrip to a cabin in the middle of the woods and being attacked in some sort by some mysterious creature or something. The same old story that we've heard a dozen times right? WRONG.Now before I saw this I had heard that it puts a big twist on the usual storyline of kids being attacked in the woods,but what actually goes down...just...is probably the last thing you'll ever guess and that's a guarantee. This review is kind of tough to do only because there is so much I wanted to say but also I don't want to spoil for those who havent.Even so I bet if I tried to spoil it you'd be like "okay, what's this guy on", that's how just plain and simple different this movie is and I'm being kind when I use the word 'different'.

Now what's very interesting about this and as I said I'll try not to spoil any big details but is that the movie actual begins in one of two plot settings in the majority of the movie but it isn't a college campus or dorm room, it starts in very large and strange facility following two scientists(Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford).So already I had a sense of "what in the hell is going on?" the movie quickly transitions back to that cliche plotline as we see the teens (Kirsten Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchinson, Fran Kranz and Jesse Williams) setting off on their road trip. The goes back and forth between the cabin and this facility. If you've seen the preview you'll notice that it's as if the kids are being watch or video taped like as if they were in a reality show. Well it's...I'm sure you can put 2 and 2 together with that part of the plot. But that's all I'll give you on the story.

I can say right now I'm telling all horror fans to go and see this film. Personally I want to know other Bidites reactions and just see because I have a strong feeling this film is going to make quite a strong impact. This is the definitely the smartest horror film since I first watched Wes Craven's Scream. The amount of originality that this film brings to the screen is overwhelming. I'd really like to applaud Mr.Goddard and Mr.Whedon for keeping this plot very secretive through the trailers and what not. But I will say it's a movie that I can tell many people will not probably accept. Don't go and see this just because you're expecting your everyday slasher with kids getting high,drinking,having sex and then getting slaughtered because that's NOT what you'll get. Before you even go into the theater you can't have any expectations or guess for what will happen because I can guarantee atleast 99% of them will be wrong.

I hope you don't think I'm sounding crazy here but as a horror fan this film has really showed me a lot. One mainly that there are still people out there who can come up with a creative and genius ideas for movies. And then two being that this is also probably one of the trippiest films I've seen in my life. To finish it off I give it a 9 out 10 just for originality. Go and see it and let me know what you think so I can tell whether I am crazy or not. One last thing...theres mermen and ancient Gods. ;D

[kmdgrfx]

I saw this movie last night and can't really write too much about it for spoiling what will be sure to be a disappointing movie going experience for many of you. For starters, never at any point in it's entire run length is it ever scary. This is a fact that I very much doubt will be disputed by anyone on Horrorbid and would be easily enough overlooked if the movie was engaging in any more than a head-scratching, "what the..." kind of way.

This movie just never homogenizes into anything regarding a consistent plot line. It's like the makers had some neat ideas about how to push the horror envelope, but when the final film coalesced, it seemed very disjointed and incomplete. I would try to take the high road and try to pass this movie off as more intellectual than standard horror fare, but that's rubbish. It just does not know what the hell it's trying to be. From very early on until the credits role, there is no explanation of why any of this is taking place or no back story of any kind which I don't typically require necessarily, but when a film gets this strange, and it gets STRANGE, I think a little back story becomes essential to allow the audience a chance to catch up.

It is no surprise to me that this move was in development and distribution hell for as long as it was. It is original in the way all bad ideas are original, by completely lacking a formula that is successful enough to ever warrant copying. The acting is pedestrian, but by no means the films biggest flaw. The CG is just ridiculous and over reaches on many instances and, as stated above, the plot is not cool or interesting or any of that. It's just vague, strange, confusing and woefully incomplete.

Go see this movie if you regularly partake of psychedelic drugs, but dose up nicely before taking your seats. Even then, I cannot guarantee that you will not want your money back. Because I feel the need to say something nice now, let me say that this film does show boobies and they are pretty nice, and there is a rather excellent werewolf that seeing more of would have helped this film immensely. If you do decide to pony up and go see this travesty, there are two things to be on the lookout for. If you see this film, please report back with your findings and let's get a consensus. Thanks for reading.

[Sephit]

Very mixed reviews for this film, pretty smart marketing and honestly I want to see this film even more now out of curiosity. Whether I end up hating it or loving doesn't matter because I just want to see how weird this film is.

[kmdgrfx]

That's the spirit. If you go in with that mentality, you'll be okay. Be sure to chime in after you've seen it and give me your two cents. Thanks.

[BooMan]

Wow, was the tagline for this movie ever correct. This is the weirdest horror genre entry that I have ever seen in my life. We get sooooo much social commentary and cliche horror moments that the depth of this movie I have a feeling goes way into the wild blue yonder much like the plot. I want to really sit down and take the time to write up a good review for this but I had to comment on it at the very least right here. This movie is tripping acid throughout and just when you think you've figured it out it changes. Way crazy, like a roller-coaster. Cool horror cliche moments and overall really enjoyed the movie but don't going in expecting just another horror movie. This is INSANITY!

[BIGKen]

If you like horror movies, If you like Joss Whedon shows (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, etc) If you like Evil Dead, if you enjoy a bit of humor with your horror, if you just like an original fun story. If you like any or all of these things, then this movie is for you. It IS NOT a regular old fashion slasher film. This film is BAT SHIT CRAZY!

[Moon]

I love it..I hope it does well at the box office, so we finally get some horror movies that are not remakes.