[WEENSY REVIEW] The Ruins
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:55 am
Rating first this time: TWO (**1/2) AND A HALF STARS.
Is this a bad movie with just enough good qualities to put it over the top, or a good movie with enough flaws to hold it down in the "mediocre" range? I tend to think the former, but let's look at the GOOD and BAD and make your own decision!
THE BAD
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- Weakly written characters you couldn't care less about.
- (Generally) weakly-acted characters make sure you don't start to care much anyway.
- "Wacky kids on spring break get into no good" idea, I dunno, hasn't that been done before?
- The male lead pronounces his "s"es like "sh", which is I guess hot to some chicks, but is actually very annoying!
- Lame-ass ending.
THE GOOD
---------------
- Inventive, well-presented "bad guy".
- Blonde chick does some convincing acting, particularly in scenes where she is covered in blood.
THE GOOD BUT MORALLY CORRUPT
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- Some scenes of horror and gore which are both genuinely disturbing and virtually unforgettable. It's the first time in a while I watched a movie and was truly concerned that it might actually give me nightmares.
Since that last thing is one of the main purposes for a horror flick, it is weighted pretty heavily. By the end I was able to forgive enough of the bad writing/acting to admit that the last half hour was pretty shocking, sickening, and effective.
Is this a bad movie with just enough good qualities to put it over the top, or a good movie with enough flaws to hold it down in the "mediocre" range? I tend to think the former, but let's look at the GOOD and BAD and make your own decision!
THE BAD
--------------
- Weakly written characters you couldn't care less about.
- (Generally) weakly-acted characters make sure you don't start to care much anyway.
- "Wacky kids on spring break get into no good" idea, I dunno, hasn't that been done before?
- The male lead pronounces his "s"es like "sh", which is I guess hot to some chicks, but is actually very annoying!
- Lame-ass ending.
THE GOOD
---------------
- Inventive, well-presented "bad guy".
- Blonde chick does some convincing acting, particularly in scenes where she is covered in blood.
THE GOOD BUT MORALLY CORRUPT
----------------------------------------
- Some scenes of horror and gore which are both genuinely disturbing and virtually unforgettable. It's the first time in a while I watched a movie and was truly concerned that it might actually give me nightmares.
Since that last thing is one of the main purposes for a horror flick, it is weighted pretty heavily. By the end I was able to forgive enough of the bad writing/acting to admit that the last half hour was pretty shocking, sickening, and effective.