She Rises

What the hell did I do in a previous life to deserve watching this film in this life? I love low budget, ambitious films, especially horror and sci-fi where you can slip in fresh ideas and complex concepts; but this film wants to be everything, including every other film ever made (judging by the fact that half the script is lines from, or reference to, other much better films. Oh, and Shakespeare). Not doing itself any favors reminding us how good movies can be; cuz we're not watching them, we're suffering through this one. The actors try really hard (and it shows) and I've always been an Angus Macfadyen fan, but this is just like a poorly conceived actor's demo reel. And a REALLY poorly directed wannabe director's reel. No idea where to put the camera, or how to make a poorly designed shot not look like crap, or how to shape an actors efforts. I mean, what the hell was up with the camera half the time??? I've seen student films made by drunk business majors that had more to recommend them than this. Here are talented actors and some wild ambitions to do something different, and they might even have thought they were doing something clever and cutting edge, but next time wait until you can line up some talented filmmakers to help you rise above the tedious level of She Rises.

I couldn't get passed the bad Brando Apocalypse Now imitation. There are so many great artsy, art house, quirky, strange and great horror movies out there. This isn't one of them. Check out Hausu instead.

The newest entry into the Blanc/Biehn production stable, a venture started by 80's icon Michael Biehn, She Rises is an ambitious effort for a low budget feature, that often threatens too become something quite special but the films moulding of genres and dialogue driven set pieces don't always stick, making Larry Wade Carrell's film a curious but slightly disappointing experience.

Co-written by its lead actor Angus Macfadyen, whose perhaps best known from films such as Braveheart and We Bought a Zoo, She Rises is certainly a unique journey as we're thrust into an event filled road trip with Macfadyen's filmmaker/actor Conor and his "work partner" Kat (played by Biehn's real life wife Jennifer) as they take up residence overnight in Rosebud and Daddy Longlegs (a makeup clad Biehn) woods based cabin, only to find themselves caught up in some bizarre situations that may or may not be a figment of their imaginations.

She Rises is certainly not a straight up horror and for those seeking a dosage of hearty scares or blood splattering should look elsewhere, as Carrell takes us on a meta filled trip into the minds of madness, while taking more than a few swipes at the modern state of the movie making business, making She Rises anything but your stereotypical horror in the woods type genre entry.

Carrell, who at times allows Macfadyen to overplay his role as the arrogant Conor, does get some committed turns out of his actors, especially his ladies Blanc-Biehn and McCrackin who both aren't afraid to give themselves to the cause, while its nice seeing Biehn once more on screen and while the one time Hollywood heavyweight doesn't have too do to much as the mysterious Longlegs, his limited screen time showcases the performer still is a commanding presence on screen when allowed to ply his craft.

Final Say –

A grungy and dirty low budget affair that bites off a little more than it can chew, She Rises may not grasp everything it reaches out for but this odd head scratcher is an ambitious little indie effort that will no doubt appeal to those that like their films as far removed from the typical as possible.

2 ½ screen tests out of 5