So you’re sitting there in a movie theater and you’ve seen enough trailers that you’ve forgotten what you initially sat down to watch alongside all these strangers. And then the movie begins: Two scientist-looking fellas are walking around what looks like a drab yet important government lab. They’re talking the same kind of nonsense you would on a Monday morning at the office. Three minutes into this on-screen conversation and you’ll probably find yourself thinking, “What did I come here to see again?” It’s a curveball beginning that ushers in a campy, gory and current horror film.
The Cabin in the Woods, directed by Drew Goddard, seems like straightforward satire of the traditional horror flick, but it’s more than that. The comedy is fresh and the sci-fi slant makes this movie wholly entertaining. The opening scene is great but I’ll admit that later, during the introductions to the main characters, I got worried. In retrospect, I suppose this was all part of the greater plan.
Doesn’t she know that if she makes out with that thing, her chances of dying increase by at least 30%? Doesn’t matter that it was a dare either, thems the rules.
In this movie, five college friends head off to a cousin’s vacation cabin determined to have a good time and blow off some steam. Curt (Chris Hemsworth) is the handsome, athletic brain and he brought his girlfriend Jules (Anna Hutchison) along for the ride. Dana (Kristen Connelly) is Jules’ best friend and she’s tagging along. Dana has just been dumped and Jules, being the best bud that she is, has brought along Holden (Jesse Williams) the good looking, well-read gentleman to cheer Dana up. Marty is the stereotypical stoner, bringing perspective and a collapsible bong he made out of a travel mug wherever he goes.
The Five Best Friends That Ever Could Be head off in search of the secluded cabin where they intend to blow off the aforementioned steam. Once they arrive, they don’t have much time to settle in. In fact, just one game of Truth or Dare into it and the violence, nipples, death and zombies start flying everywhere.
The Cabin in the Woods is fast paced and exceptionally gory. Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard pieced together an original story from dozens of bits of regurgitated hollywood horror while maintaining the integrity of the overall genre. There were some pitfalls like the hyper cornball “I learned it by watching you” joke but overall, this is a fun ride. If you’re into horror with a sense of humor, the story here will likely keep you interested from beginning to end. It’s a great pick to kick off Spooky Season. Just make sure you stop and smell the blood loss once you get into it.
