Genres: Horror, Thriller
Rated: R
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: BenderSpink
IMDB Page
Rated: R
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: BenderSpink
IMDB Page
Review done by: Serial McKiller
Online since: February 20th, 2006
Hosted by: Yahoo!
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Laura Ramsey, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore,
Sergio Calderon
Director: Carter Smith
Synopsis: A group of friends whose leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for
the worse when they, along with a fellow tourist embark on a remote
archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins.
Review:
Perhaps delving into the literary world for new, stylish and engaging stories
of terror is the best way to go. Either that or looking into the past for
inspiration, without remaking an already existing piece. Dreamworks, Spy
Glass Entertainment and producers Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld now bring
you Scott Smith’s acclaimed novel "The Ruins". A modern horror story that
uses nice motives from horror of yore, while still existing in the present and
almost channeling something Cronenberg-ian. The story picks up with a
group of friends lead by "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake star Jonathan
Tucker, who meet a foreigner in Mexico that tells them of an ancient Mayan
temple hidden in the jungle. And of course which one among us would not
take up that opportunity to explore something possibly dangerous? In any
case things move like a rocket sled as they reach the temple and after a
rather gruesome death are forced on to the temple.
What follows is what I’d consider a survival story, but in a confined place.
And no not like a mall or a super market. That’s nothing compared to being
atop an old temple, surrounded by villagers with guns, speaking in a
language that no one’s heard and with extremely limited supplies. Does it get
boring? No, but it does get bloody, and I really mean bloody. There are
extremely cringe inducing things within "The Ruins". While it does have it’s
fair share of gore and pretty unpleasant scenes to watch and follow a pretty
normal set of constructs, there's also a lot of brave things within the film.
The trailers and tv spots show you the same things and theres a reason for
all that. Because that IS what you’re dealing with. You’re dealing with a
organic organism that’s capable of entering, transforming and consuming
your body as well as warping one’s mind. And thus we bring about a slightly
used, but fantastic door opened with everything. A cerebral viney terror.
First time director Carter Smith does a fine job of lighting just the right
pieces to enhance the current feelings. Using the sun and the shade to his
advantage he crafts one of the most startling scenes in the third act of the
film involving a character who’s been "infected" and is determined to remove
the parasites from her body. It’s an intense scene, a savage scene and an
outstanding one. What also plays into it’s credit for me is that its a low
budget horror film. There’s some sketchy CGI shots, there’s some pops and
jumps, BUT the care spent on the make-up effects is phenomenal. The Ruins
is highly impressive and chilling. It seems that possibly we have a real, deal
horror film out that’s within the fun and frightening B-movie or slightly above
range. Perhaps Mr. Stiller has figured out that in order for better horror, new
ground must be struck and new blood must be used. Kudos to you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall: 8/10
Sergio Calderon
Director: Carter Smith
Synopsis: A group of friends whose leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for
the worse when they, along with a fellow tourist embark on a remote
archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins.
Review:
Perhaps delving into the literary world for new, stylish and engaging stories
of terror is the best way to go. Either that or looking into the past for
inspiration, without remaking an already existing piece. Dreamworks, Spy
Glass Entertainment and producers Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld now bring
you Scott Smith’s acclaimed novel "The Ruins". A modern horror story that
uses nice motives from horror of yore, while still existing in the present and
almost channeling something Cronenberg-ian. The story picks up with a
group of friends lead by "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake star Jonathan
Tucker, who meet a foreigner in Mexico that tells them of an ancient Mayan
temple hidden in the jungle. And of course which one among us would not
take up that opportunity to explore something possibly dangerous? In any
case things move like a rocket sled as they reach the temple and after a
rather gruesome death are forced on to the temple.
What follows is what I’d consider a survival story, but in a confined place.
And no not like a mall or a super market. That’s nothing compared to being
atop an old temple, surrounded by villagers with guns, speaking in a
language that no one’s heard and with extremely limited supplies. Does it get
boring? No, but it does get bloody, and I really mean bloody. There are
extremely cringe inducing things within "The Ruins". While it does have it’s
fair share of gore and pretty unpleasant scenes to watch and follow a pretty
normal set of constructs, there's also a lot of brave things within the film.
The trailers and tv spots show you the same things and theres a reason for
all that. Because that IS what you’re dealing with. You’re dealing with a
organic organism that’s capable of entering, transforming and consuming
your body as well as warping one’s mind. And thus we bring about a slightly
used, but fantastic door opened with everything. A cerebral viney terror.
First time director Carter Smith does a fine job of lighting just the right
pieces to enhance the current feelings. Using the sun and the shade to his
advantage he crafts one of the most startling scenes in the third act of the
film involving a character who’s been "infected" and is determined to remove
the parasites from her body. It’s an intense scene, a savage scene and an
outstanding one. What also plays into it’s credit for me is that its a low
budget horror film. There’s some sketchy CGI shots, there’s some pops and
jumps, BUT the care spent on the make-up effects is phenomenal. The Ruins
is highly impressive and chilling. It seems that possibly we have a real, deal
horror film out that’s within the fun and frightening B-movie or slightly above
range. Perhaps Mr. Stiller has figured out that in order for better horror, new
ground must be struck and new blood must be used. Kudos to you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall: 8/10
