I've never been a big fan of Eli Roth. I know many think of him as the new face of horror but most of his movies to me have amounted to minor of the plot/story with a focus on the gore. I have no problem with gore in movies, but gore for gore's sake gets boring after a while and for me most of his films have been that, boring. So when I heard his name connected with this film I viewed it with trepidation. Once I found out he wasn't directing I felt better. In the end, we have a decent movie here that offers some chills along the way from start to finish.
The movie takes place in Chile where three friends (one
played by Roth who gets a co-writing credit on the film too) and business
partners are enjoying the night life that the city they're in has to offer. One
of the three is Chilean so he speaks the language. Moving from club to club,
night spot to night spot, the three end up connecting with three women and the
six of them carry on with the partying. So much for about 30 minutes of the
film. It's not quite enough time to make us care about the group or perhaps
it's the antics that involve them but when things change we care.
While in one of the clubs a huge earthquake hits and panic
follows. The required amounts of gore and blood flow as people are crushed
beneath the columns and pillars that decorate the club they're in. One of the
friends has his arm crushed and as the group gets out they begin to search for
the nearest hospital. When they hit the streets the amount of devastation
confronts them as they roam the city seeking help while dealing with the
looting and rioting that follow each aftershock.
But that's not enough jeopardy to put this group in. Someone
mentions that there was a prison nearby that housed the worst of the worst, the
nastiest killers the country had to offer. So on top of trying to find help and
dealing with the wreckage around them they now must try and decipher who is
safe to trust and who might be one of these mentally disturbed prisoners.
This adds a nice touch to what could have been a rather
standard disaster film. The group does their best to make it through but along
the way is hunted down by the escaped prisoners. Just who will and won't make
it through the night becomes the question that follows them from street to
street. As would be expected, not all of them will survive. Who does and
doesn't adds to the suspense (limited though it may be) and moves the story
from point A to point Z. All would be fine with the exception of the ending (which
I won't spoil but saw coming a mile away), which makes this film a part of the
sort of movie Roth would make. If you don't understand that comment I won't
ruin the ending for you.
Not great acting but passable, some decent gore effects and
a well shot film. The story moves along at a snails pace to start but picks up
once the earthquake hits. If you're not a fan of Roth then there is one piece
in this you will love. On the whole this is a movie worth watching if you like
disaster or horror films. If you don't like either or are planning a trip to
Chile, I'd pass this one by.
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