Wrong Turn 2: Dead End
2.5/4
Starring: Erica Leerhsen, Texas Battle, Henry Rollins, Aleksa Palladino, Matthew Currie Holmes, Daneilla Alonso, Steve Braun, Crystal Lowe, Kimberly Caldwell
The version being reviewed is unrated. For the record, the theatrical cut is rated R for Strong Horror Violence and Gore, Language and Some Sexual Content
I wouldn't go so far as to call "Wrong Turn" a great horror film, but it did what it set out to do and had the good sense to leave it at that. It was taut, tense and brutal; it delivered the goods. The sequel, isn't as slickly made or well-acted. But it has some of the same visceral pleasure.
M (Holmes) is shooting a new "post-apocalyptic" reality-TV show in the backwoods of Appalachia. For his "cast," he has chosen the bitchy vegan Nina (Leerhsen), never-was football star Jake (Battle), sexpot Elena (Lowe), buff Amber (Alonso), vulgar Jonesy (Braun) and his producer/girlfriend Mara (Palladino) to replace a now-missing contestant. For his host, he has chosen ex-Marine badass Dale Murphy (Rollins). Of course, since this is a "Wrong Turn" movie, there are a bunch of cannibalistic mountain men lurking about, and they aren't a part of the show.
The weakest part of the movie is the set-up. Director Joe Lynch takes far too long developing characters we don't care about. The writing and the acting are too weak for this to be anything but a waste of time. I guess the behind-the-scenes stuff is mildly interesting, but that's it. However, once the body count begins to rise, the film takes off. There's a bit of adrenaline to be found, some decent shocks and a surprise or two. For those who are strictly here for the blood and gore, you'll get your money's worth. There's a lot of it. A lot.
Of the cast, the best I can say is that no one embarrasses themselves. Erica Leerhsen, best known for her performance in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake, is fine in a role that might have been played by Kathryn Isabelle, the current Scream Queen. Texas Battle manages to earn some likability. Steve Braun gives a somewhat interesting performance as a failed skater who isn't as cocky or funny as he thinks he is. And Henry Rollins has fun with playing the badass.
"Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" is a low-budget cash in on a mildly successful horror film, and must be viewed on those terms. It's cheaply made and amateurish, with the monster make-up being laughably bad. But for a "turn off the brain" gorefest, it at least has a few things going for it.
Starring: Erica Leerhsen, Texas Battle, Henry Rollins, Aleksa Palladino, Matthew Currie Holmes, Daneilla Alonso, Steve Braun, Crystal Lowe, Kimberly Caldwell
The version being reviewed is unrated. For the record, the theatrical cut is rated R for Strong Horror Violence and Gore, Language and Some Sexual Content
I wouldn't go so far as to call "Wrong Turn" a great horror film, but it did what it set out to do and had the good sense to leave it at that. It was taut, tense and brutal; it delivered the goods. The sequel, isn't as slickly made or well-acted. But it has some of the same visceral pleasure.
M (Holmes) is shooting a new "post-apocalyptic" reality-TV show in the backwoods of Appalachia. For his "cast," he has chosen the bitchy vegan Nina (Leerhsen), never-was football star Jake (Battle), sexpot Elena (Lowe), buff Amber (Alonso), vulgar Jonesy (Braun) and his producer/girlfriend Mara (Palladino) to replace a now-missing contestant. For his host, he has chosen ex-Marine badass Dale Murphy (Rollins). Of course, since this is a "Wrong Turn" movie, there are a bunch of cannibalistic mountain men lurking about, and they aren't a part of the show.
The weakest part of the movie is the set-up. Director Joe Lynch takes far too long developing characters we don't care about. The writing and the acting are too weak for this to be anything but a waste of time. I guess the behind-the-scenes stuff is mildly interesting, but that's it. However, once the body count begins to rise, the film takes off. There's a bit of adrenaline to be found, some decent shocks and a surprise or two. For those who are strictly here for the blood and gore, you'll get your money's worth. There's a lot of it. A lot.
Of the cast, the best I can say is that no one embarrasses themselves. Erica Leerhsen, best known for her performance in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake, is fine in a role that might have been played by Kathryn Isabelle, the current Scream Queen. Texas Battle manages to earn some likability. Steve Braun gives a somewhat interesting performance as a failed skater who isn't as cocky or funny as he thinks he is. And Henry Rollins has fun with playing the badass.
"Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" is a low-budget cash in on a mildly successful horror film, and must be viewed on those terms. It's cheaply made and amateurish, with the monster make-up being laughably bad. But for a "turn off the brain" gorefest, it at least has a few things going for it.
Comments
Post a Comment