The Ruins
3/4
Starring: Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson
The version being reviewed is unrated. For the record, the theatrical cut is rated R for Strong Violence and Gruesome Images, Language. Some Sexuality and Nudity
Like all good horror films, "The Ruins" works because it does exactly what its supposed to. Identifiable characters, a gripping situation, and escalating tension. The pacing, at least in the unrated version, isn't tight enough to elevated it to the upper echelons of the genre, and the audio quality is at times iffy, but on the whole it's an effective chiller.
Best friends Amy (Malone) and Stacy (Ramsey) have gone on vacation to Mexico with their boyfriends, Eric (Ashmore) and Jeff (Tucker). There, they meet up with a couple of Greek party animals and a German stud named Mathias (Anderson). Mathias is in town with his brother and his brother's girlfriend, who have just discovered a new Mayan ruin. He's going to visit them tomorrow and invites our heroes to come along. After a bit of discussion, they agree. Hungover and/or still eager for sex, the group heads to the Mayan ruin, which is, of course, off the map. Despite some repeated warning signs, they reach the ruins. However, they are stopped by some heavily armed men shouting at them. Things escalate into violence very quickly and the surviving members head up to the top of the ruin. That's when they discover why the men down below were so adamant that they don't go onto the ruin.
This is a good, but not great, horror film. Strictly speaking, it doesn't bring much that's new to the table, but what it does, it does well. The situation grows increasingly desperate, new wrenches are thrown into the script at regular intervals, and none of the characters are annoying to the point where we're actively wishing for them to die. In matter of fact, they're smarter than your average monster fodder. That doesn't mean they don't do stupid things (such as going to a Mayan ruin not on the map with a guy you don't know who hasn't been in contact with his brother who's already there). It's just that they analyze their situation, they have ideas for what to do next and how to solve their problems. At least, until the next one comes along. However, no one, not the tourists or the Mayans, seems to think of the one painfully obvious thing to do, which is to use fire. But if they're sentimental about the ancient ruins, I suppose a big sign and a gate will save people a lot of trouble. Much preferable to holding people hostage until they die. Or worse.
The cast is compromised of mainly young character actors, and they do solid jobs. Jonathan Tucker plays the smartest member of the bunch (a welcome change of pace from the shy nerds he usually gets to play), if not the most compassionate. That distinction goes to Shawn Ashmore, who's a cross between a hippie and a bro. Laura Ramsey ably portrays a girl who is losing her mind. And Brit Joe Anderson sports a flawless German accent. The weak link is Jena Malone. She's a good actress, but lacks the presence and pipes needed for a horror movie.
Director Carter Smith, making his theatrical debut behind the camera, understands the mechanics of horror. For example, characters have to go in dark places, reaching into places where the murderous plants are lurking (Audrey II would be proud). Food and water is running out. Help may or may not be coming. One of the party is gravely injured. And most important of all, the most intimate injuries are the most painful to watch.
"The Ruins" is based on a novel by Scott B. Smith, who adapted it into a screenplay (apparently, he suggested changes from his own novel for the film version, and based on the evidence, they're for the better). I haven't read any of his novels, but based on this and the fact that wrote the novel and screenplay for "A Simple Plan," a criminally underrated masterpiece if there ever was one, maybe I should. He's a great storyteller. "The Ruins" isn't as good as the 1998 gem (and probably never could be), but that's okay. This is a horror movie, after all. It could have used a little tightening up on the editing stage (maybe the theatrical cut is the way to go...), but aside from that, this movie delivers the goods.
Starring: Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson
The version being reviewed is unrated. For the record, the theatrical cut is rated R for Strong Violence and Gruesome Images, Language. Some Sexuality and Nudity
Like all good horror films, "The Ruins" works because it does exactly what its supposed to. Identifiable characters, a gripping situation, and escalating tension. The pacing, at least in the unrated version, isn't tight enough to elevated it to the upper echelons of the genre, and the audio quality is at times iffy, but on the whole it's an effective chiller.
Best friends Amy (Malone) and Stacy (Ramsey) have gone on vacation to Mexico with their boyfriends, Eric (Ashmore) and Jeff (Tucker). There, they meet up with a couple of Greek party animals and a German stud named Mathias (Anderson). Mathias is in town with his brother and his brother's girlfriend, who have just discovered a new Mayan ruin. He's going to visit them tomorrow and invites our heroes to come along. After a bit of discussion, they agree. Hungover and/or still eager for sex, the group heads to the Mayan ruin, which is, of course, off the map. Despite some repeated warning signs, they reach the ruins. However, they are stopped by some heavily armed men shouting at them. Things escalate into violence very quickly and the surviving members head up to the top of the ruin. That's when they discover why the men down below were so adamant that they don't go onto the ruin.
This is a good, but not great, horror film. Strictly speaking, it doesn't bring much that's new to the table, but what it does, it does well. The situation grows increasingly desperate, new wrenches are thrown into the script at regular intervals, and none of the characters are annoying to the point where we're actively wishing for them to die. In matter of fact, they're smarter than your average monster fodder. That doesn't mean they don't do stupid things (such as going to a Mayan ruin not on the map with a guy you don't know who hasn't been in contact with his brother who's already there). It's just that they analyze their situation, they have ideas for what to do next and how to solve their problems. At least, until the next one comes along. However, no one, not the tourists or the Mayans, seems to think of the one painfully obvious thing to do, which is to use fire. But if they're sentimental about the ancient ruins, I suppose a big sign and a gate will save people a lot of trouble. Much preferable to holding people hostage until they die. Or worse.
The cast is compromised of mainly young character actors, and they do solid jobs. Jonathan Tucker plays the smartest member of the bunch (a welcome change of pace from the shy nerds he usually gets to play), if not the most compassionate. That distinction goes to Shawn Ashmore, who's a cross between a hippie and a bro. Laura Ramsey ably portrays a girl who is losing her mind. And Brit Joe Anderson sports a flawless German accent. The weak link is Jena Malone. She's a good actress, but lacks the presence and pipes needed for a horror movie.
Director Carter Smith, making his theatrical debut behind the camera, understands the mechanics of horror. For example, characters have to go in dark places, reaching into places where the murderous plants are lurking (Audrey II would be proud). Food and water is running out. Help may or may not be coming. One of the party is gravely injured. And most important of all, the most intimate injuries are the most painful to watch.
"The Ruins" is based on a novel by Scott B. Smith, who adapted it into a screenplay (apparently, he suggested changes from his own novel for the film version, and based on the evidence, they're for the better). I haven't read any of his novels, but based on this and the fact that wrote the novel and screenplay for "A Simple Plan," a criminally underrated masterpiece if there ever was one, maybe I should. He's a great storyteller. "The Ruins" isn't as good as the 1998 gem (and probably never could be), but that's okay. This is a horror movie, after all. It could have used a little tightening up on the editing stage (maybe the theatrical cut is the way to go...), but aside from that, this movie delivers the goods.
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