Reeker

"Reeker" didn't live up to my expectations at all. The film has really surprising turn in the end which, in contrast to "High Tension", is beneficial for this flick as it sheds a new light on a story which until this time has completely no sense. In fact, "Reeker" doesn't deliver anything new and even misuses certain patterns. In addition, the film is not frightening and evokes not much tension, which is significant shortcoming for this kind of flick. Not so frequent gory scenes are anything but original or imaginative. What's more, the flick drags incredibly and is illogical at times. Similarly to other movies of this genre, characters behaves very irrationally. For instance, the scene with a guy jumping out of the window was ridiculous. On the other hand, among virtues of this film I can rate good cinematography and beautiful desert settings. All in all, I regrettably cannot recommend this horror film.

I was really hoping for a lot more from this modern horror flick, but unfortunately it's slipped into the subdued, 'safe' plot that so many films these days seem to follow and there isn't an awful lot of actual horror on display. The film feels like it's building up to something all the way through, but despite some nice visuals throughout; it fails to deliver on its promise. By far the best thing about the film is the atmosphere, and through competent handling from director Dave Payne, Reeker is given the right feel throughout. The central location; a motel in the middle of nowhere, is a good location for horror and a good sense of hopelessness is generated through it and the character's despair. The cast of characters are the common 'dopey teens', who are on their way to a rave (very original). Things go wrong for them when their car breaks down near to the aforementioned motel, and this is followed by a series of strange events. The location is strangely deserted, they can't get a radio signal and, worst of all, there appears to be something chasing them.

The film starts off with a nice little sequence that sees a family become the victim of...something. From there, the film is suspenseful because you really want to know exactly what is going on in this place where the lead characters have found themselves. I was thinking that there'd be some great revelation just around the corner - but the film makes us wait, wait a bit more and wait again until eventually delivering just about the worst ending a film can have. And just to make things a little bit worse; it's an ending that a great many horror films have used recently, and every single one of them left me disappointed as well. There are some good effects in the film, however, and despite some dodgy CGI in places; things such as the man with no legs may leave some of the less experienced horror viewers with nightmares. The central baddie (I'm guessing the title villain) is good, but it doesn't look very good; and I'd have preferred a man in a cape over the rubbish computer effects that the director has opted for. Overall, this film certainly isn't all bad; but there are far too many flaws for me to call it a success and I don't think the title is a million miles away from being an apt description of the film.

It's not bad for a supernatural slasher movie, but I have some issues. There's really not much to the story with just the characters' standard in the desert oasis. Most of the time, it's just the characters waiting for something or looking for a way to get help or leave. It's pretty predictable throughout, and it doesn't do anything interesting until the end. The movie takes a while to get going, and the killer comes much later in the movie. Also, it uses typical cliches like cheap jump scares and characters making stupid decisions throughout. The death scenes do have decent tension to it and are built up pretty decently on how they are killed off. Also, it's interesting how after someone killed, it shows a flashback from their memory. The movie has a decent atmosphere with it taking place in an isolated environment with no service and how the place looks abandoned.

I feel a bit sorry to say that this isn't a great film and sadly suffers from a lack of originality, because I really did enjoy my viewing of "Reeker" and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other hardcore horror fans on the lookout for new thrills! "Reeker" is a fun film, with decent production values and lots of exhilarating gore, and it's only near the end that the script begins to show some major holes and plot twists that featured in many other movies already. Up until when the story becomes painfully predictable, Dave Payne manages to build up some genuine suspense, likable character-drawings and even some vivid black humor. Five twenty-something people who only know each other vaguely are on their way to a famous rave in the desert when their journey suddenly takes a nightmarish turn. After a truly banal drug-incident, the gang returns to the nearest motel, only to find that everyone has mysteriously vanished there. The only living soul for miles around is a middle-aged traveler who has severe problems himself, as he somehow lost his wife on the isolated desert roads. Things get really uncanny when a terrifying figure, bizarrely dressed and smelling horribly, shows up killing the cast members in – it has to be said – very imaginative ways! You certainly won't be complaining about a shortage of excitement, as the film doesn't cut back on grotesque make-up effects or over-the-top gory moments. After the first glimpse at the unusual killer and the ominous atmosphere, it becomes clear that "Reeker" is slightly more ambitious than your average high-school slasher. Such an ambition is definitely praiseworthy and promising for Payne's future career, but sadly his "idea" has been used already in many other (classic as well as more recent) movies before. Of course, I can't mention which ones because that would have the same effect as revealing the actual twist. Michael Ironside is the terrific experienced actor of the film, but he receives excellent feedback from the enthusiast young cast. Derek Richardson (who was in "Hostel") is very good and Gillmore Girl Arielle Kebbel is more than adequate as well. "Reeker" guarantees a fine watch all together, but it's a little shortcoming to end up a genre classic.

"Reeker" from 2005 is not a particularly memorable or outstanding horror movie, despite it actually having originality to it. And the reason for this was that it was just too mundane. In fact, it was only the surprise twist to the storyline towards the end of the movie which was unique, but it really was a twist which wasn't predictable. And as such, then director Dave Payne managed to deliver a horror movie which was watchable, albeit mediocre.

I am not going to spoil anything regarding the twist of events, but I will say that it was a nice change of events to the storyline. Just a shame that it couldn't manage to lift up the rest of the movie.

The story is about a group of people heading out into the desert to participate in a big party. However, they find themselves stranded at a mysteriously deserted diner, and an even stranger being is stalking them, preying on them one by one.

The storyline itself was adequate, but it just didn't stand out in the horror genre. As such, it was a mediocre end result. There were some originality to certain aspects of the story and the mysterious 'reeker' which was hunting the people.

The acting in "Reeker" was quite alright, and people were doing good jobs with their given roles and characters. It was a nice treat to see Michael Ironside in the movie, despite not having that big of a role. Devon Gummersall (playing Jack) was really carrying the movie quite well.

Now, as for the creature design on the reeker creature, well I was impressed. The effects, prosthetics and make-up was quite good. And they managed to put together a rather unique design which helped lift up the movie experience a bit.

The special effects in the movie were also good, and that is a good thing for a horror movie. So thumbs up on this achievement.

All in all then "Reeker" is an entertaining enough movie for what it was, just don't expect to be blown away, as it is a generic and mediocre horror movie. But still worth a watch if you haven't already seen it.