Phil_M_A_Kerr
Joined Mar 2004
Badges2
To learn how to earn badges, go to the badges help page.
Reviews201
Phil_M_A_Kerr's rating
Snowy wilderness makes for captivating cinematography.
Direction and design capture grimness of subzero weather at its worst.
Writing gives dimension to our antagonists, despite what other people have said.
Acting is superb across the board. Emma Thompson sets a high bar which is met.
Props department, construction, costume and makeup used judiciously.
Flashbacks provide good counterpoint.
Some remarkable imagery.
A small movie worthy of a big screen.
Direction and design capture grimness of subzero weather at its worst.
Writing gives dimension to our antagonists, despite what other people have said.
Acting is superb across the board. Emma Thompson sets a high bar which is met.
Props department, construction, costume and makeup used judiciously.
Flashbacks provide good counterpoint.
Some remarkable imagery.
A small movie worthy of a big screen.
Those that respect the horror genre will appreciate that this movie pulls no punches. Yes, it has the tropes of the genre: young nubiles, untrustworthy elders, and an unspeakable evil from days of yore. But the classy sepia cinematography and the assured direction of this little "video nasty" keep things ticking over all the way to the proverbial nuthouse. There's a plot hiccup or two reminiscent of any good horror from the 70's and 80's. The character roles were delightful and the leads sacrifice some hard-earned charisma to satiate the lords of darkness. I'm a believer in the genre as a platform for the occasional glimpse into the most dank and mouldy corners of the human psyche. It's not meant to be a nice place, and it certainly isn't here.
I'll admit it was kinda fun watching what felt a Predator movie for teen angst. Emo Predator has boorish parents (to put it mildly) & just needs some friends to help him through this difficult period in his life as the galaxy's most feared hunter-for-kicks.
In terms of the film's design, I might compare it to Gareth Edward's approach in his monster movies, most recently of which was Jurassic something: Rebirth. Edwards has a minimalist, realist approach to revealing alternate worlds. Trachtenberg, on the other hand, goes for the all-out, stuff the screen with all kinds of bizzare & amazing things so much so that your eyes don't know where to look. And it works in this case. But at the heart of this buddies-on-the-run caper, however, is the connection that is built between our half-cyborg (IYKYK) & our titular star. Kudos to the man behind the beast's mask (& the CGI team) for managing to give him so much expression for a face that is largely just teeth. And is it Elle Fanning as the borg? Her performance won't get the credit it deserves due to the movie's genre, but it is a standing ovation kind of performance that piles on the understated humour and heart.
It's probably a tad too noisy and demented at my age but I definitely appreciated its high entertainment value.
In terms of the film's design, I might compare it to Gareth Edward's approach in his monster movies, most recently of which was Jurassic something: Rebirth. Edwards has a minimalist, realist approach to revealing alternate worlds. Trachtenberg, on the other hand, goes for the all-out, stuff the screen with all kinds of bizzare & amazing things so much so that your eyes don't know where to look. And it works in this case. But at the heart of this buddies-on-the-run caper, however, is the connection that is built between our half-cyborg (IYKYK) & our titular star. Kudos to the man behind the beast's mask (& the CGI team) for managing to give him so much expression for a face that is largely just teeth. And is it Elle Fanning as the borg? Her performance won't get the credit it deserves due to the movie's genre, but it is a standing ovation kind of performance that piles on the understated humour and heart.
It's probably a tad too noisy and demented at my age but I definitely appreciated its high entertainment value.