Movie: The Cabin in the Woods
Release Date: April 13
Studio: Lionsgate Films
Grade: B
It's almost a clich?(c) - a group of sex-crazed college students venture into the woods for a mini-vacation and end up in a fight for their lives. This plot has been a staple of horror films for decades, but the premise feels fresh in the hands of writer Joss Whedon.
The Cabin in the Woods, written by Whedon (The Avengers) and Drew Goddard (Lost), has a complex science-fiction side that reinvents the classic horror film plot. The opening sequence shows a group of scientists in a control panel room preparing to watch five college students enter the woods that they refer to as the "killing field."
Viewers soon find that these scientists' jobs are to ensure the students do not leave the woods alive. They eagerly watch and control the field by locking doors or changing the temperature when needed.
Whedon has established himself as a sci-fi genius with his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and more recently Dollhouse. He sees the world from a different view and translates that into the alternate worlds he creates through his screenwriting.
Kristen Connolly (Certainty) stars as the sweet virgin, Dana. The well-casted redhead portrays the innocence and intelligence of her character. Jules (Anna Hutchinson, Wild Boys), her best friend in the film, is just the opposite. Hutchison doesn't fall short when acting as her blonde, flirty character who just wants to have fun.
Probably the most dynamic character is Marty (Fran Kranz, Diary of a Whimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules). Clearly he is a stoner, but he's an intelligent one. He is the first character to realize that someone is controlling them.
The Cabin in the Woods, as to be expected from today's horror offerings, has more gore than all of Buffy's adventured combined. The film doesn't waste any time getting to the bloodshed. Horror fans will love this, but those with a weak stomach may need to look elsewhere.
The Cabin in the Woods isn't without flaws, however - the opening might confuse less savvy viewers.
Things don't take shape until a third of the way into the film. There are enough twists later on in the movie to keep it interesting without hiding the initial concept of why these friends are being targeted to begin with.
The Cabin in the Woods should be in a genre all on its own. It's scary with humorous one-liners being dropped here and there, but most of all its shocking. Just when the movie seems to be over, it develops into another twisted fight for life and no one will guess the final outcome.
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
