The Descent - good or bad?

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but it didn't do a lot for me. I would have preferred more set-up before the ladies go into the cave, as I was having a hard time telling them apart and then they spend most of the movie in varying degrees of darkness. The actresses are only serviceable, the dialogue is just so-so and the um...antagonists (I'm trying not to spoil anything) didn't really work for me. Some good "claustrophobia"-based scares, though, and (very minor spoiler ahead) Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Certainly a hell of a lot better than "The Cave", though. And fairly well shot. In fact, glancing back at my ratings for the year, it's actually my third favorite "horror" film I've seen this year (behind "Hostel" and "Slither", and not counting "Hard Candy"), and I'm not a huge horror fan to begin with, and it sounds like you might be. So, actually, I'm recommending it after all...go figure.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

I'm right with you here. I'm thinking of blind buying it myself at least by Halloween 07. I've heard almost nothing but good wom about it. It seems to be an almost sure thing. But you never know. I've avoided all professional reviews sicne I didn't want it spoiled.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

It's damn good, one of the best horror/suspense movies I've seen in years. The caves actually feel like real caves, rather than 60s-TV-show chambers with level floors, and the relationships between the characters add to the tension without ever making the audience cringe because there's matters of life and death going on here so talk about your personal issues later. I think having a (nearly) all-female cast helps that; it nicely takes sexual tension out of the equation.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

This and Hostel are my favorite horror flicks of the year. I've got it on disc already (R3 I think)!

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

Good. Very good. It is great to see a horror movie populated with adults for a change.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

I am not the biggest horror fan myself but The Decsent is excellent and well worth checking out.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

I will blind buy. Loved Dog Soldiers. Same Director for both.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

The R1 cut that was in theaters was a tad lacking in character development. The majority of the cast was only there to pump up the body count. Maybe the R2 cut is better? Most of the characters are very broadly drawn stereotypes as well and what happens to them is rather predictable as a result.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

The "antagonists" are a tad hard to swallow and blatantly copied, but the movie avoids explaining their existence, which is probably a good thing because any explanation would be pretty weak.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

The scenes in the cave themselves are well shot. The feeling of dark, damp claustrophobia is very well conveyed. Although the beginning of the ending is easily predictable within the first five minutes of the movie, they tacked on a cheap shock that doesn't fit with the rest of the film.

In summary, rent it first. It's worth seeing once, but I don't think it would hold up that well to repeated viewings.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

From what I gather, the UK cut is the same as the US cut, except for about thirty seconds added at the end.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

If you buy the unrated version thats the same as the UK.

Re: The Decsent - good or bad?

This has my interest some too.

I really enjoyed this movie.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

I really enjoyed this movie. It was probably one of the best horrors I saw that year.

As for the dispute over the different versions, from what I understand: SPOILER

 

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Me liked!  I have the unrated version.  Several moments had me nearly touching the ceiling when I jumped up.  Recommend installing a seatbelt on your recliner. 

Its a sure thing. I saw it on low def fox, liked it so much I went out and got the dvd. Will be buying it again on blu. Watch it in the dark. With a friend.

Descent 2 is coming soon...
http://www.movie-list.com/trailers.php?id=descent2

I don't see how a sequel will be worth bothering with.  Sure, there's a chance, maybe some suspense here and there...but after the first one we already know what the deal is.  Certainly, the reveal in the original was freaky as hell.  But the shock value is over. 

Descent 2=Should be direct to video. 

We'll see. Even though I hate the whole idea of sequels, and agree with Radioman's comment that the shock value of the first one won't be there; the sequel just needs to have different priorities. A good example of thinking outside the box might be the Evil Dead series; with the straight horror thing already done, they changed tack for the sequels and just pursued wackiness.

Obviously this is just an analogy and I'm not suggesting they change genre or anything insane like that; but my point is just that the priorities of the film should change when the audience basically knows their M.O.

Nice points Ben.  Aliens also crossed my mind when I thought about it earlier.  I'd bet my savings account that this shouldn't even be mentioned on the same thread as Aliens.  Those miracles don't happen everyday.  A great director can pull these things off and add just the right elements to not only respect the original but create debates on which is better, the original or the sequel.  Evil Dead does that too.  Put me down for the original (same with Alien, happen to like the original best) but the sequels are among my fav horrors ever.  

thoroughly enjoyed watching "The Descent"

I knew nothing about it beforehand, and was pleasantly surprised by the claustrophobia, engaging story and sheer sense of dread / horror


I guess I saw the UK theatrical release, as the ending was *unpleasent* for the surviving character?

This one left me cold. If they had omitted the creatures entirely and just had the story focus on claustrophobia, maybe it would've worked. The sequence where a character gets stuck in a tight area is the only truly effective moment in the film.

I have to politely disagree....although that claustrophobic scene in the film was very effective and had me literally squirming in my chair, there were plenty of things there that scared the crap out of me.  It's definitely one of my all-time favorite horror films....the sense of dread that permeates the film and the rather bleak ending does it for me.

Yeah, I wouldn't give up the early scenes of those creatures for nothing.  Chilling stuff.   And the rest of the scenes with them are edge of the seat stuff.  That's just for this particular film.  Now, without the creatures it would be like when Andy and Helen are stuck in the cave waiting for Deputy Fife to save them!!  Right? 






Hahaha!  Just kidding.  There are a few films like this without the creatures that work pretty good.
Edited by Radioman970 - 9/9/09 at 4:00am

SPOILERS!

Thanks for the nice words, Radioman. Methinks you and me are on the same wavelength here too re: previous poster wanting no creatures. Me, I was impressed by the early part of the film, but as soon as I knew there was creatures too, I was so excited. I guess it depends whether you prefer Alien or Touching the Void. Movies of people against the elements can be good;and shocking even, but there's nothing more fun than monsters. Having said that, I was terrified the whole first viewing of those creatures, and I thought they really thrived in the claustrophobic environment, and really enhanced it. I think their design, which i won't say too much more about, really ties in with the environment, so I didn't experience the transition as being as jarring as something like when part two of From Dusk till Dawn kicks in! (Which I now love as well, but in a different way).

I think The Descent will go down as one of the best horrors of all time. I think its top notch. I particularly think its important as it pitches itself above the teen/jock demographic that the Friday the 13th remakes and (much as I love them) Hostel and Cabin Fever sought after. I think Alien is classy in the same way; and its my favourite so far for that reason, as well as the gradual pacing, measured characters etc. I saw it on the big screen when it was rereleased in the 2000s in directors cut form. I love Ridley Scott; the two movies he made after that: Legend and Blade Runner, are also spectaclar. Just saw Legend for the first time, and its really so much better than you'd think beautifully shot. Aliens is said to be one of the better sequels, but its good to hear someone loves the sequels. I rewatched 3 the other day and wasn't as keen on it, but i'll have to check out Aliens again, havent' seen it in years.

It's very clever.  They establish a few stand out characters right away.  And even give you a tremendous jolt near the beginning.  I think I jumped a foot out of my chair watching it for the first time...watching it in the dark too!   That kept me on edge throughout it's running time.  Nice little horror movie staple that early scare.  

My only knowledge going in was having somebody tell me it's Dog Soldiers in a cave.  Haha!  I had no idea what the creatures would be like.  I think they nailed that aspect.  Very creepy.  Crazy back story on those as well.  But their first appearance is among the best horror moments I've seen.  I was squirming in my seat.  Really, I was wishing I was in a crowded theater instead of at home alone. 

Alien vs Touching the Void.  That's exactly what that argument is.  You could throw in Alive!  as well.  *cleans between teeth with toothpick*

I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the sequel.

You don't know what your talking about. Get a clue.



I look forward to Part 2 also. More good movies like this please.

Double post.

Edited by Gary Hightower - 9/30/09 at 10:35pm