Cinema Reelz DVD review - "Cabin in the Woods"

Staring: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison

Synopsis: (Courtesy of IMDB):  Five Friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for.  Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

"Cabin in the Woods" is a fresh breeze in an otherwise stale, worn out genre, that is horror.  It takes everything that is cliched about the horror genre, rubs it in your face, just enough to make it's point, then rips the rug out from under your feet.

This is a film that is hard to do a review on for the fact that it is better seen without knowing anything about it.  The plot is  complex beyond what you believe the story to be about.

"The Cabin in the Woods" was written by Joss Whedon, known for his TV show hits, "Buffy" and "Firefly", and more recently the summer block buster "The Avengers."  Just like his other works, this story is entertaining and fresh.

The only thing about this movie that I might complain about is the acting.  At times, the characters almost seem a bit soap operaish, but it honestly works with the way the film is supposed feel.  This is a film that is more satirical then anything, and was not meant to be taken completely serious.

If you have been waiting to see this......why??  Go!! Run to your local store, or Redbox, and pick this up.  You will not regret it!

I give "The Cabin in the Woods" 5 mermen out of 5:

**************** SPOILERS BELOW ***************

As the film progresses, we learn that the characters are part of an elaborate ritualistic sacrifice to appease the gods of old and keep them from destroying the earth.  We quickly learn that every other sacrifice around the globe has failed, and it is now up to the United States to complete the sacrifice.  Just as it looks like the outcome is all but set in stone, two characters find a secret elevator and descend into a facility that contains the puppeteers that have been controlling them.  This is where it gets good.

No one can say that the last 45 mins of the film is not the best part.  I felt so much joy as the characters descended down the glass cube elevator, looking at every creature and monster that existed in this world, and every Easter egg hidden within.  When the monsters are let loose, the carnage and chaos caused, changes the whole feeling of the movie. Yet, it still feels right.

By far my favorite thing about "The Cabin in The Woods" is the ending.  I find that a lot of times during horror films when the world is in danger, I secretly hope for it to end. Just for something a little less predictable, but alas the hero always shows up and saves the day in just the nick of time.  Not this time, as the sacrifice fails and is not completed.  The film ends with the gods rising from the center of the earth and the destruction begins.  Oddly it is somewhat satisfying.

A little hidden Easter egg I had to share before I go is for those who are also gamers.  As the camera zooms out on the glass cube as it descends, if you look a bit to the left and at the other cubes directly around the characters' cube you can pick out three monsters, the witch, boomer, and tank from the "Left 4 Dead" games.  These were added due to a plan to release a DLC which brought the "Left 4 Dead" characters into the world of "The Cabin in the Woods." The DLC would allow your character to fight their way from the woods, to the cabin, and eventually into the facility.  Unfortunately, this was scraped when MGM began running low on funds.  Next time you watch, have the pause button ready and your eyes open.

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