Ginger Snaps (2000) Review
Written by: Danielle1989
As Karen Walton said in the commentary, "There hasn't been a good werewolf movie since American Werewolf in London", and I couldn't agree more. It is seldom that someone can write a good werewolf film, and even more seldom that someone can direct a good werewolf film. AND it is completely rare to find these 2 to work on the same movie! But thankfully for us Canadians we had that honor bestowed upon us and we were served with a fantastic metaphor for werewolfism.
Walton threw out the idea that what if going through puberty was nothing short from becoming a self-destructive "monster". Right at the beginning we see that these 2 sisters have an infatuation with death and being different. Then one night whilst walking through the woods to deem some revenge on the asshole popular girl, Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) gets the "curse" and is attacked by something unknown at the time. Then with the help of Sam (Kris Lemche), Bridgette (Emily Perkins) starts to put everything together and it is evident it was a werewolf. Post-attack we see some minor, and eventually major changes in Ginger's behavior and the way she interacts with her school mates and even her "death pact" sister. She slowly loses all rhyme and reasoning, giving in to the "changes" and creating havoc in the once upon a time "quiet" town of Bailey Downs.
This film has everything I look for in a horror flick... 1. Right away we are made aware that something is wrong. 2. You have multiple characters weighing the tempo and ultimately the outcome of the movie. 3. You have the mandatory hero/heroine risking their life to put a stop to the monster. 4. The hero/heroine is faced with a major loss. 5. And lastly, IT WAS ACTUALLY SCARY.
John Fawcett used several different directing styles and angles. We have him overlooking the town at the beginning, showcasing that everything is the same and indifferent. Then the "Blair Witch" style chase in the woods with the shaky hand-held view. Then he uses wise shots to convey that something is either going to be discovered or that something tragic will happen.
Overall the film was fantastic, and I loved every moment of it. The dialogue is something that deserves a shout-out as well. Karen Walton did an amazing job at putting together informative and well put together dialogue. There was never a dull moment in this movie, especially when having Mimi Rogers in it delivering her witty and comedic lines throughout the entirety of the movie.