CABIN IN THE WOODS: A TRIBUTE THAT'S ORIGINAL

If you hate to have surprises ruined then by all means stop reading now. The only way to offer a discussion or review of the movie CABIN IN THE WOODS is to reveal the first of many surprises the film has to offer. It's not a major one and yes most people will gather what's going on before the first 30 minutes is passed but just in case you hate ALL surprises exposed then stop now.

For the rest of you this is one movie that will keep you guessing until the last frame hits the screen. And it's not a film that fits comfortably into one single genre. While for the most part I'd consider it a horror film there are elements of science fiction here as well. Suffice to say that with the amount of gore and carnage involved it will most likely be considered a horror film. But unlike most horror films coming out today, this film is completely original while offering a nod or two to the films that came before it.

Five college age students are set for a weekend getaway at a cabin in the woods. Curt's (Chris Hemsworth) relatives have bought this place and he and his girlfriend Jules (Anna Hutchinson) are going up with her best friend Dana (Kristin Connelly), Curt's new team mate Holden (Jesse Williams) and their stoner friend Marty (Fran Kranz). Packed up in the RV, they head towards the wilderness with no idea what they will soon encounter.

Already we're tossed into familiar territory. It only becomes more so when they stop for gas to be confronted by a seemingly crazed attendant who gives them directions to their destination while telling them it's a bad place to go. You might think you know where the film is going here but trust me, you don't.

While all of this plays out we're also seeing the story of what appears to be a high security, high tech location with plenty of lab coat, suit clad officials discussing some project going on. It's not long before we realize that the project is the kids heading to the cabin where this group is prepping to direct them towards what will be the last night of their lives. Why would this group do this and what are they talking about when they discuss the same thing happening in various locations around the world? Well I won't give you that much info here.

The group gets to the cabin and things are set in motion early on. While they play a game of truth or dare, the basement doorway blows open and they investigate. What they find is a basement filled with all sorts of curious items from a fortune telling machine to a jewelry box to a diary that Dana begins to read from. Unfortunately these items are the methods of death that these teens are unknowingly choosing from. Back at the lab the boys in research are making bets on which they choose. Once Dana reads from the diary, redneck zombie killers are let lose to deal with the teens.

Still you have to wonder what's going on. Why is this technical group putting these kids through this? What reason could they have for killing them off one by one? What is the end result from all the carnage? That's where the originality comes into play and it's something you have to watch the film to find out. While I'll let you know something is going on, I won't give away the films major secret.

Everything is above par here which makes it even more compelling to watch. The acting is believable, the writing is superb and the direction well played. Particular kudos go to Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford, neither known as horror film stars, who turn in truly hilarious and chilling performances. Nods to classic horror films are seen throughout, everything from EVIL DEAD to HELLRAISER and more. Part of the fun is during the third act recognizing every horror film paid tribute to here.

The concept that is revealed at the heart of it all is the most original thing going on here. This is no ordinary horror film. While it may appear the movie is a get kids in the woods and kill them movie there is more going on here. The depth of what is going on is more important than even the viewers realize until the end. If you like movies that surprise you, that keep you guessing and that never give up their surprise until near the end, you'll love this movie. If not, trust me, it might give you a few chills before it ends.

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