Originally, I wasn’t going to review this movie. Not for any particular reason, but I’ve basically only been reviewing movies that I’ve really got something to say about recently (hence the sporadic updates recently). Then, I realized that this movie stars David Caruso (who doesn’t once take off his sunglasses dramatically, which is bullshit) and I felt compelled. Plus, it has the cop from the original CSI, so it’s like a super CSI connection thingermajig. Finally, it’s directed by a Bowdoin grad (who also directed the half-sweet The Machinist), really Polar Bear pride necessitates that I review this. Holy crap, I just realized that Brad Anderson (the director/Polar Bear) also directed Transiberian, that movie was really good. Anyway, on to the review:
The basic premise is that a construction crew gets hired to remove asbestos from an abandoned mental institution and, surprise surprise, zaniness ensues. And by zaniness, I mean insanity and death. Who could have expected that an abandoned mental hospital would be filled with evil? This movie is pretty damn creepy. It’s kind of a slow burn but the end gets real damn intense. Plus it manages to do it all without much gore (although there’s one pretty messed up scene involving an eyeball and a not-quite-dead fellow) and there’s a refreshing lack of jump scares. Actually, a lot of the tension in the movie is set-up by making you think there’s going to be a jump scare and then not delivering, so you’re constantly kept on the edge. It’s fairly brilliant. On top of all this, the direction is more than competent. It’s stylish without being overly notable, plus there’s some definite indie-flair that I dig. The only real problem that I had with the movie was that I guessed at what the end twist was, something that also happened during The Machinist. Still, it didn’t take away from the movie too much, because it wasn’t so obvious that I was positive so I stayed engaged (unlike The Machinist. Hence my verdict of half-sweet for that movie).
I’d heard this movie was decent and I’m pleased to say it’s better than merely decent. I was pleasantly surprised. In the end, it’s a pretty effective bit of psychological horror. I’d put it right up there with The Orphanage and The Descent as one of the best horror movies I’ve seen in the past few years. Go U Bears.
