best viewed in 1024x768
ADDED JUNE 2008
Are You Scared? Director: Andy Hurst
Country: USA
Year: 2006
Runtime: 79 mins
Writer: Andy Hurst
Cast: Carlee Avers (Laura)
Erin Consalvi (Cherie)
Soren Bowie (Dylan)
Brad Ashten (Brandon)
Review by Mordum
I think I SAW this already
To say my expectations were low for this film is putting it mildly. It's just a blatant rip off of Saw, right? absolutely, yes unashamedly so, it's been a while since I saw a film as unoriginal as this. So it's shit then? erm, actually no not really.
The films plot is put together by mixing elements of TV shows such as Big Brother and Fear Factor, etc. A group of teens wake up in an abandoned warehouse, learning moments later that they are on a reality game show which they had applied for previously "you will each face your worst fears", the voice of the host tells them. But, yep you've guessed it.... there is no game show, it's just all part of a twisted mans own personal revenge.
One by one the unwilling 'contestants' will face their fears, entering into a challenge which has an unfairly low chance of success, ending in pain and death for our participants. Indeed, the fake game show plot is just used to setup these scenes of Saw-esque death traps.
Firstly, and most importantly the traps themselves are pretty good, especially the one involving the twins (a real good dilemma presented), giving us some good scenes of crimson, utilizing such tools as drills, acid, shotguns, bombs, fire, etc. The effects hold up very well during these moments, but the highlight of the film is when someone gets their head chopped in two with an axe, I re-watched the scene 3 or 4 times and making out where the edit took place is extremely hard, superb stuff.
The acting ain't too bad at all, certainly on a par with the other teen based horrors out there (so you know what to expect). The characters aren't given a deep enough back story for us to care about them, but that doesn't matter too much in the grand scheme of things.
On the downside, the role of the two agents seemed a waste of time, adding nothing to overall events. The killer himself is forgettable and unlike Jigsaw doesn't have enough mystery to him, I just wish he'd remained hidden for much more of the film. Although the twist towards the end as to the reason he's doing this is satisfying enough, even if it is a little bit of an overreaction on his part (but then the same could be said about Jigsaw too). Plus, it obviously goes without saying that we've seen all this before, so there is no freshness to proceedings, the story holding little interest to be honest.
In the end however I enjoyed the film, yes it's totally unoriginal and has its flaws, but if it entertains me then I don't give a shit. The plot is forgettable, but it delivers a good pace, with plenty of blood filled scenes.
'Are You Scared?' No, but I had a pretty good time all the same thanks.
Viewing Details
The ZoneHorror Channel airing was used for this review. The only bonus features I got was advertisements every 30 minutes, mmm yes I do fancy some Ribena.
