Director: Simon Barrett, Jason Eisener, Gareth Evans, Gregg Hale, Eduardo Sánchez, Timo Tjahjanto, Adam Wingard
Year: 2013
Country: USA/Canada/Indonesia
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Anthology
Plot:
Looking for a missing student, a pair of investigators break into a seemingly abandoned house to look for her, uncovering a series of videotapes that hint at something far darker going on.
Review:
Phase I Clinical Trials-Signing up for an experimental procedure, a man is implanted with a special device in his eye, only to find himself subjected to a series of horrifying supernatural abilities. This was a fairly strong and enjoyable enough starting point. The main feature of the storyline here touches nicely on a chilling enough phenomenon that brings about a series of genuinely startling ideas the horrifying flash visions take place. Those come together well enough that there are some overtly creepy images that are on display, especially with the whole backstory about what the implant device is intended for and what he manages to feel as the experiences continue. There’s a lot to like with how it ends up, too, as it does follow a highly formulaic route that comes across as using a lot of familiarity in how the whole thing will end, but that still allows for a lot of rather fun moments getting that to come together. In the end, it’s a rather strong start to the film.
A Ride in the Park-While biking through a public park, a man is suddenly turned into a flesh-eating zombie by a fleeing resident and starts to follow others in the growing zombie apocalypse. This one was likable enough, but it does have some minor drawbacks. The main feature with this one concerns the way it manages to focus on the exploits of the main character as a zombie, as it occurs quite early on, and the scenes involving him going around the park infecting others into the swarm give this a lot to like. Getting some gruesome effects-work out of the creatures as they chase others down and rip them to pieces or get stopped by other creatures protecting themselves, it gets quite likable even though it starts to wear out its welcome rather quickly since it just devolves into a one-note series of encounters revolving around the zombie with a GoPro on his head encountering people. It’s fun for what it is, but it does have that issue.
Safe Haven-After hearing of a mysterious cult leader, a film crew is granted permission to film on their commune in a remote section of the country, where they learn the sinister intentions. This was a fantastic segment that is a true highlight. The concept is fantastic, with the sinister outlines of the cult and what they’re teaching sounding every bit like the kind of deranged cult-leader that offers such an unnerving, uneasy atmosphere to start off. When they arrive at the compound, that’s only enhanced by the weird state of everything, from the control to the unnatural obedience that is required to be involved, providing the kind of slow-burning hints that something isn’t right at the compound. When the final intent of their sayings is revealed, the frantic, full-throttle race to get away from the cult turns this into a madcap experience involving zombified followers, mass suicides, possessions, and the summoning of a demonic entity that has plenty to enjoy and hardly anything really wrong with it.
Slumber Party Alien Abduction-Hosting a special slumber party at their family mansion, a woman and her brothers are interrupted when they find the area home to a malevolent alien landing on Earth. This was a pretty disappointing way to end this one. The concept itself is worthwhile enough and manages to generate some tension once things finally start happening, as the group is suddenly away from their alien visitors and their true intentions. However, this doesn’t have much else going for it since the brief running time makes this take way too long before the aliens arrive, with a focus more on the teen pranks and retribution that goes on at the house, with the boys trying to torment their older sister and her boyfriend while they try to get the boys back for everything. It makes everyone rather unlikable, and it’s hard to care about their plight when the aliens show up so late into the proceedings, and the way we’re following the footage is so jarring and disorienting that it’s sometimes hard to tell what’s happening. It’s only after that you realize what went on, making the premise come together well enough despite those mishaps.
Tape 49-Looking for a missing student, a pair of investigators break into a seemingly abandoned house to look for her, uncovering a series of videotapes that hint at something far darker going on. This wasn’t that good of a wraparound and manages to have some problematic factors to it. About the only thing it does right is that the whole thing works as a setup for the next segment properly, as the idea of them stumbling upon the house where the tapes are stored and using that as a means of getting to the next installment. However, the segment as a whole is pretty simplistic and one-note without much in the way of deviation, with the two just sitting around watching things happen, as there are some minor hints of the finale that ends up highlighting its twist far too early. This ends up being a bit of a mixed bag.
Overview: ***.5/5
A generally fun and stylish continuation of the franchise, there’s enough to like here, which makes for a far more enjoyable time than the original, with just a few minor drawbacks in a couple of stories. Those who appreciate this kind of genre fare, are fans of the creative crew, or who are curious about it, will have the most to like here, where most others should heed caution.
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