El páramo

Another reviewer here stated some interesting points. I do agree with most of his arguments, but I don't think the movie is as bad as he makes it to be. That doesn't mean I think it's really good, but I do think the director was going for the right thing. Fear and isolation can make people go crazy.

Of course the idea is anything but new and there have been quite a few movies with similar themes. While this is well played, there is something missing to help the viewer along the ride. Something that will even the field and make even some of the clichés look good. As it is, it is just decent (maybe you won't even think as much of it, as proved by other reviews). Suspense is high enough and though you can guess most turns and events, it is still enjoyable enough.

I caught this first time around on Netflix about a year ago and absolutely loved it. So much in fact I bought the film on DVD a couple of months ago (not sure if it has had a blu-ray release). I really can't recommend this film enough it is well written, well shot, well acted and has a brooding, claustrophobic quality about it that stands it head and shoulders above the large percentage of dross that currently boasts to be "the scariest film you will see this year, blah blah"

I must also mention the score which adds impressively to the ominous atmosphere of this film overall. Impressive!

Unfortunately The Squad fails to deliver on its interesting premise and promising first ten minutes. Competent camera work and a decent cast is unable to make up for a lack of plot, structure or coherent direction. I can appreciate what the director was attempting to do with lingering close-ups of grim, suffering faces, subtle sound cues and atmospheric lighting, but one can only rely on those techniques so long before delivering some kind of pay-off. For me the film completely failed to rack up any tension or arrive at a destination. I was more concerned with wondering why the characters - supposedly trained soldiers in a war zone - were behaving more like angsty teens who've fallen out with their parents.

The message that in a civil war everyone looks like the enemy could have been portrayed far more effectively without tacking on a poorly-realized supernatural element. The film-makers tried to do both and ended up with neither. I hate using the word, but 'boring' really is the only word that comes to mind.

It was better than expected! its not bad, its not the best .. Wonderful directing acting and all other things that are said in the reviews.

Could easily be a 1hour 1.20hour movie though, not that much happens to be so long, but it keeps the tension through the whole movie, i never felt bored as in most of the movies nowadays, it manages to keep you in the atmosphere Dont wait to be impressed by the best movie, but it certainly Deserves to be watched:)

As with the first two reviews, I have to agree that there were no weak acting here. Every single one of them were marvelous. The cinematography and especially the atmosphere were very effective and notable.

However, I would not classify this as a horror movie. I'm inclined to say that this is more of a suspense/drama.

Admittedly, the director was extremely talented in building up the tension, though it is quite tiring to always have that accumulate inside you without having any form of release as nothing of significance really happens. Granted, that he wasn't going for cheap thrills, which I can respect, but a movie gets anti-climactic fast, even with superb actors and atmosphere, if it's not going anywhere.

This would have been great for a short film, but made into a full length movie, it became a bit diluted. Still, I did not regret watching this for the positive points already mentioned above. Those were so good, it salvaged the entire film.