The Story: The town of Harmony is left in shambles after a miner, left for dead in an accidental cave-in, massacres an entire hospital and a party of teenage kids. His main target is Tom Haniger (Jensen Ackles), the one responsible for the cave-in. When the miner is killed and ten years pass Tom is back on the anniversary of the massacre, only to have the memories dredged up when the killer returns again.
Pros: Being that this is a remake of a smaller 80’s horror film, and the excessive hype of the whole 3-D aspect I was really surprised at how amazing this movie is. Director Patrick Lussier seems to know what fans want in their slasher films and delivers on all the goods, it’s apparent that he is a fan of the genre himself. The movie immediately gets into the kills and gore and doesn’t let go until about half-way through the movie. Even when the movie isn’t in full-on killer rampage you’re still in suspense because he crafts some effective jump scares that keep you gripped. He also knows every cliché in the horror movie handbook but makes them all new and unique such as having only one stereotypical dumb blonde and giving her a completely laughable nude scene/death that will keep people talking for awhile. I was a bit hesitant about the 3-D gimmick, especially since it looks to be glutting the market this year, but My Bloody Valentine uses it all throughout not just having things thrown out at you but adding a depth and an immersion that you don’t get from 2-D films. Lussier also doesn’t give up on 3-D by the middle, but keeps it running all throughout the movie. At an hour and 41 minutes this movie does it’s job and gives fans the type of good old slasher fare that has been missing for the last several years, in fact I already see it as being one of the best horror films of 2009.
Cons: The only major issue I had with the movie was that the middle takes a big detour from slasher film to mystery, dropping the killer for awhile to focus on everyone’s past. It isn’t as interesting and riveting as what’s before and after but it moves quickly away. There are also a few instances of people doing incredibly dumb things but that’s to be expected. Also for the fangirls out there, don’t be fooled by the marketing suggesting that Jensen Ackles is the star. While he is the biggest name for this film, this is all about the masked killer and his reveal isn’t until the very end. My last gripe is with the theaters showing this. Apparently certain theaters are tacking on extra charges for the 3-D glasses, which are necessary to see this film with an incredibly disorienting blur. This makes going to see it at matinee times pointless, I paid full price with the extra charge. My theater also asked me to return the glasses to recycle them…while continuing to pay patrons the surcharge. Hopefully this won’t deter people from enjoying this wonderful film but I can see it lessening box office.
Actors: The stars in this know they aren’t making art and just seem to go with the ride. Supernatural heartthrob Jensen Ackles is the perfect dashing leading man and men and women will easily like him in the role. He doesn’t do too much throughout except look sad and run but he does well with what he’s given. Jaime King and Kerr Smith are also good in their roles. Again none of the actors are making art and this movie is all about the kills so acting is not a factor.
Overall: My Bloody Valentine 3-D is an incredibly effective horror film that uses 3-D to the max. See this in a 3-D theater and have a fun time with a return to form for slasher films. I give it a perfect 5/5.
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