Retro Review 2: Cabin in the Woods

Welcome Back!

So it's been a while since I've seen any movies. Honestly, I've been playing tons of board games lately. Maybe I should do a few Board Games reviews. That'd be a fun little side venture.

anyways, I've been getting into HP Lovecraft lately, I got curious after seeing all the Cthulhu inspired Games at Guild Of Blades (awesome store BTW) so I went, who is this Cthulhu person anyway. well needless to say I ended up buying Arkham Horror.

The Evil gods have killed my every time I play, Hastur, Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep (bless you). so I figured, What movies have Giant Evil gods in them? Well Hellboy, and Cabin in the woods.

So I figured Why not continue my Retro Review series with Cabin in the woods!

Being a Retro Review I assume most people have watched this, so I will be throwing spoilers out willy nilly. so If you for some reason haven't seen this, stop reading, watch it, then watch, then read!

Retro Review: Cabin in the Woods

Pros:
How can I not start a review of a Joss Whedon written movie without mentioning Joss Whedon's writing? this movie is a Brilliant stab at the Horror Genre. The first time I saw this movie it was mystified by it. I loved the whole fact that it was yet another Cabin in the woods movie, but it's part of a yearly ritual of Cabin in the woods movies. The amount of awesome Meta in this movie is amazing. Whether it's the ancient ones being the Viewers, demanding the same old run of the mill horror movie again and again or if its the various interactions in the control room mimicking how audiences think. ("come on, show us the goods")

The Dialogue, Particularly Marty's dialogue is hilarious, I love the banter between the characters. they all are very distinct, which makes them all a bit brilliant.

Finally, in a testament to the writing, I never saw the Final act coming. I knew going into it that it was different, and I knew the ending had a 'bloodbath' but that's it. I never saw an army of Nightmare creatures. and the moment they appeared I was laughing maniacally for the rest of the movie. I loved all the subtle Easter eggs in there, the Jack skellington breathing Fire, the Reavers, the Merman, the F.E.A.R reference, the Left 4 Dead Boomers and Witch, the Giant Cthulhu Tentacle. It's one hell of a final act and I love it.

Moving on to acting. I recognize many of the actors, Bradley Whitford has been a favorite since Studio 60, and of course Thor is always fun. and Amy acker's one of my top 10 favorite actresses. But this movie was stolen by Kristen Connolly and Franz Kranz. the two of them are impecable all the way through.

Cons:
Well, I guess after many many repeat viewings it of course has some. the Big one being, why oh why is there a Purge button? I can buy almost everything in the movie, but why is there a button that unleashes all of the beasts into the control center? and why is it so easy to do? have they done this before? do they purge them all at the end of each cycle? As much as I love the movie, this has always Bothered me

Final Notes:
Cabin in the woods is a brilliant riff of the Horror genre. It's brilliantly paced, written, and acted. It doesn't  take itself too seriously and it throws many curveballs at you throughout it. If you haven't seen it, see it. even thought you shouldn't have read this review.

FINAL VERDICT: 98
Brilliant on every level but the Purge button.


Now to read a script, and finish up writing a couple!

Comments