The Descent (2005) Review
Written by: DrRobMorgan
First review but die-hard horror/fantasy/scifi fan, from collecting "Famous Monsters" magazines in its infancy to owning over 200 horror genre dvds. This movie is the adrenaline rush horror fans have been waiting for. We've been cheated by slick remakes that have missed the mark that made the originals great (i.e. 2006, "The Omen" & "The Hills Have Eyes") and sequels that should have been aborted before pre-production. Now we have something with teeth that takes us by the throat, robs us of our breath and makes us fear the dark, once again. Let me add, that I watched this movie on a DVD and it had me jumping and gasping at every strategic turn. The disc was from Europe and was not a pirate as far as I could tell. I can't imagine what a theatrical experience (for the first time) would be like. I cannot wait to take some friends when it opens wide in the states and watch them squirm. I will not ruin the experience with spoilers.
The story is simple (like some of the greatest in the horror field), 8 young adrenaline junkies decide to try spelunking (to explore caves) with horrifying/gut-wrenching results. Oh, by the way, they all happen to be good looking young women. Now that may sound cheesy at first but this is from the director of "DOG SOLDIERS". Not only does he deliver full body characters (no pun intended), he ups the anty with top-notch suspense, action and a dash of gallows humor. The first ten minutes are shocking and then it lingers into an unsettling claustraphobic feeling, the likes of which have never been captured on film (at least to my memory). Just when you think the suspense has reached a near crescendo - we are introduced to what is inside this one-way ticket to hell. All bets are off and the violance is as intense as the hairiest ride at your favorite amusement park.
I have never been compelled to write a review of a movie till I saw the chance to hail this new classic of horror. Watching "The Descent" was like experiencing any number of movies that have given us goose-bumps over the years - "Halloween", "Alien", "Evil Dead". My only qualm is that the one sheets I have seen do not do this film justice. The studio in the states handling this should do everything possible to distance this frightening gem from some of the drech that's already infiltrated the theaters (The Cave).
I can only hope that this movie not only be a hit in the theaters but jump-starts midnight as well. This film cries out for such an audience. It would be a shame to rush it out on dvd and cash in so quickly. This is a movie that demands to be experienced in the dark with popcorn flying and an audience continously screaming. Watch some of them shake as they walk out of the lobby to safety. Beware! You have been warned.