Cabin in the Woods changes all the rules in a
genre busting good time
By Morgan P Salvo
Cabin in the woods movies are
usually pretty good, with Evil Dead 1&2 being the best of them all. Cabin
Fever also fits the bill as a decent throwback to the genre and now, thanks
to Lion’s Gate and Mutant Energy Productions we have the supreme example in 2012’s Cabin in the Woods.
Horror movie fans and aficionados will go berserk with this one and will wonder
why this film was made back in 2009 and not released until now.
Here’s what you can know
beforehand that can’t ruin any of the monstrous curve balls hurled your way. First
off, five college students all fitting the stereotypes to a tee (we have the slut, the good girl, the stud, the brain and
the stoner) head to a sinister cabin in the woods. And somehow a group
of government bureaucrats are involved in the horrific shenanigans that ensue. I
can’t really say more than that.
But I can say Richard Jenkins’
use of the F-bomb is priceless. Bradley Whitford is super snarky (no surprise
here). Chris Hemsworth is an annoying actor. He was supremely irritating as
Thor and apparently started out even worse beforehand.
Because of my commitment to
not spoil the surprises this movie holds in store, I will apply the Amazon or
IMDB method of “if you like this you will like these”: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hatchet1
&2, Don’t go into the Woods, The
Burning, Sleepaway Camp, at least five
Friday the 13ths, and countless “make sure you don’t go in them/thar
backwoods” 80’s gems that still reside in VHS form only.
Horror film buffs and even
normal movie goers will find it hard to deny the multi-faceted enjoyment Cabin delivers. The infused humor is
actually funny and yes it’s on purpose. Sure there’s gore, splatter,
nonsensical slaughter and questionable storylines, but this is in essence The Hunger Games for horror fans.
Keeping true to the genre and
pumping it full of turbo charged adrenaline, writer/producer Joss Wheadon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show fame (and
upcoming Avengers epic) along with co-writer/first
time director Drew Goddard (writer from Lost
and Cloverfield) have way too
much fun expertly achieving the balance between high end horror and perfect
release valve humor. This is the hardest I have laughed in a long time as the
devilishly clever script jumps all over the place. Not everything works, but
it's hard not to admire Whedon and Goddard for all their over-the-top attempts.
While keeping it fresh and our vested interest in its whole premise, no matter
how ludicrous, Cabin proves to be a
major accomplishment. By the time the ride is over, this flick changes course more
times than the Amazing Race but never
loses momentum. Incredibly smart nods and winks aimed right at the horror buffs
will keep them guessing as to which homage fits where. And a fifteen minute
sequence near the end is one of the biggest payoffs in cinematic history
All in all, Cabin is one crazy-ass movie. Having a
handle on all things stereotypical and clichéd, it works beyond anyone’s wildest
dreams. With some of the most idiotic explanations for why we see the things on
screen, we still can’t wait to see what happens next. While still corny, hokey
and flawed, for a different take on a genre this is pretty darn entertaining. This
flick takes camp to a new level and we roll with it. It doesn’t matter how
stupid Cabin gets, it shoves its
hooks in and never lets go. I left with the song “Cabin in the Woods” from Evil Dead, the Musical running through
my head. That is high praise.
The Cabin in the Woods
Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna
Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford
Directed by Drew Goddard
Rated R
3 ½ stars
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