Four people introduce themselves to camera then participate in a game-to-the-death for a large sum of prize money. It all takes place in a couple of small rooms (one of which is Red!) and there is much dialogue and characterisation over action. The entire effort is short and none-too-subtle, but well played with conviction by all involved. Obviously it would seem that budget was limited on "Red Room 2", so some of the effects do look a little low-tech, shall we say (if you watch, you'll know just when I mean!) That being said, my attention was held completely from start to finish and felt that ultimately the film was well worth the time spent watching (and now writing about it!) One thing I should mention, by way of explanation to some of the levels of gratuity contained in "Red Room 2", is that recently I subjected myself to possibly the ultimate in gratuitous shock-fest "cinema", having watched something called "August Underground's Mordum" (which I wholeheartedly do NOT recommend). I mention this in order to explain that after having watched (or perhaps words like "suffered", or "endured" may be more appropriate) the aforementioned effort, absolutely anything that can (and was) presented in "Red Room 2" seemed really rather laughable by comparison. The difference in the two films being that "Red Room 2" was a well -made, -scripted and -acted work of (admittedly bizarre) entertainment; whilst "AUM" was just utterly repugnant imagery for the sake of it, without merit and void of value. Yes, "Red Room 2" is indeed gratuitous, as described in an earlier posting here, but after one's initial revulsion at the scenarios the contestants herein find themselves, it actually becomes strangely engrossing. It also helps that being a relatively low-budget production in appearance (which can be a good thing, in my humble opinion), the viewer's repulsion obtained by any of the film's shock "effects" is soon replaced by mild amusement - well it was with me! All of that being said, I found the film very engrossing and well worth the effort. You could see what the makers were trying to express, and yes, it is something a frequent film-goer will have seen before - namely just what are the extremes TV programmers will go to in order to obtain a rating, and simultaneously, just what level of degradation will any participants stoop to in order to win. Also, it all begs the query of the viewer - how much depravity and humiliation will you watch in the name of entertainment? Again, not subject matter we haven't seen presented previously, especially in the super-dark humorous style of "Series 7: Contenders" (highly recommended, by the way), but nonetheless interesting and engrossing (if you can forgive the cheapish effects!) Now, if only Endemol or Channel 4 could get the layabouts in the Big Brother house to indulge in this form of extreme gamery, then at least that programme wouldn't be so devoid of any value, and the wanna-be housemates would know what it's like to really EARN their prize!! THAT - I would watch... meanwhile, give "Red Room 2" a spin!
