Movie review: The Cave

[not2sharp]

I have just returned from this movie, and I was pleasantly surprised. The critics have crapped all over this film, but there is really nothing wrong with it. It is just plain not Hollywood and I suspect that they can't handle their popcorn without their usual movie dosage of foul language, nudity, drug use, cute fluffy animals, major camera mugging actors, and gunfire. So let them choke on it; what this movie delivers is simply entertainment. The cast consists of relative unknowns, the setting (mostly within the cave) is relatively fresh and well done, and the story flows along nicely.

This is not a perfect movie, but the acting is professional and the ensemble cast convincing. This could have easily been done as a straight survival film along the lines of The Edge. You get a real sense that danger lurks all over this environment; however, it is understandable that it is hard to present dangers like failing light, a broken leg, noxious air, starvation, fungal infection, or decompression sickness, in the context of an action movie. So these real dangers are toned down and replaced with an off-the-shelf ACME movie monster. The moster effects are good, but it is also the same-old-same-old. What is new is that the action never really degrades into the standard shoot them up, or horror gore fest. The story continues to chug along despite of the monsters, and the monsters seem merely a stand in sumation of many real dangers that lurk behind every bend.

I like this one, I really do. I can only hope, that at least some critics, will put down their crack pipes for long enough to burn their pompous cliche checklist, and judge this movie for what it is rather then what it is not. Entertainment does not have to follow a standard template, it need only entertain.

n2s

Knives: a few, including some brief knife fights (but, I will have to wait for the DVD to take a shot at identifying them)

Comparable sci-fi: Anaconda, The Edge

 

[sph3ric pyramid]

I would enjoy a movie with drug-using cute fluffy animals mugging actors. It would be a vast improvement over the crap that's coming out of Hollywood at the moment, and the number of sequels/prequels/*quels that are/will be produced.

...on topic, I played the game at the movie website before the movie was released.

I do, however, intend to see the movie sometime. Was wondering if might be a new twist in the 'survival' movie genre somewhere.

 

[A Dogs Best Friend]

N2S, Haven't seen the movie yet, but I have seen the movie trailers on TV. It looks good. I just wanted to add that I agree with you, with few exceptions, Hollywood movie critics do seem to have their heads up their, uhhh, yeah, you know what I mean. One of the main characters, Cole Houser, has been around for awhile. Not your typical "leading man" type, but a pretty good actor anyway. Hollywood would do themselves, and us a favor by using quality secondary actors more often. Give us a break from the all too predictable A-list guys and gals. Good review-I'll see the film. ADBF

 

[JD Mandrell]

Thanks for the review, ever since I saw the first trailer ths one has been on my "see" list.

 

[SilverFoxKnows]

(while I was at work :grumpy: ) and they both liked it. The Mrs. said it wasn't just the same ol' tired Hollywood formula and she was never sure who was going to live till the end of the movie.

Frank

 

[rebeltf]

Thanks for the review N2S , planning on seeing , maybe tonight.
I asked a co-worker if he planned on seeing and he heard it sucked , where did he glean this info ? The Hollywood ran movie review site he frequents.
It's like my dear Father , he totally listens to what the newspaper or entertainment tonight says about a film , which is why he misses out on a lot of great films. I dont even bother reading reviews or watching those 'educated' shows , if I want to see it I go see it and bollocks to the critics , who I might add will most probably only give a film a shining review if it is some wierd foriegn film or obscure director artsy fartsy stuff...
anywho...

 

[Bob W]

The television commercial looked awful. But I'll add it to my "rent-it" list.

-Bob