V/H/S/85

It gets right into it. No main story arc about who's watching these videos. We start off with a story of vacation, youth, recreation, death, sudden and surprising horror, partying, wait, this was just an old video tape of young adults having fun, right? What could possibly go wrong....oh wait.... HOLY @#$!

So the first segment was so misleading, I honestly forgot what kind of movie I was watching until things got intense. Then it took a turn. A very "different" turn. This is not your usual VHS film, nor is it a typical, cash-grab low-budget horror. It does well for itself.

Despite the unattractive, distracting segment totally dependent on subtitles (unless you are fluent in Spanish), every segment is promising, intense, and fun. There are lots of great moments. It's not at fearful as the first VHS movie. No VHS sequel only will be. But this is the best installment since the release of the original.

It does get a little weak and predictable for the last couple segments. Still, it's fun. Have a few drinks, kick back, and just have fun.

After V/H/S 99, I was approaching this next installment a little fearfully. But, to my surprise V/H/S 85 is a good entry. The wraparound story, as well as each segment were pretty good. Maybe the "TKNOGD" Segment (Segment number three) was a little weak, but still better than the first four segments of V/H/S 99.

Overall, V/H/S 85 reminded me a lot of V/H/S 94, which I consider one of the best. So, if you enjoy the suspense, eerie atmosphere and sophisticated storytelling of 94, you will enjoy this one too.

The best two segements (Dream Kill and Ambrosia) start and finish this series and therby "roll out" and "wrap up" the red carpet for the segments in the middle, allowing them to effect us with their full potential.

I am giving this a generous 6 (probably more like a 5.5) because ultimately it was a fun decent horror anthology. My problem is outside of two of the stories with ome being the wrapper story) the shorts do not feel finished satisfactorily as a complete story..

The first atory with the kids at the lake is a great idea but it never comes to anything and is incomplete and nothing is explained. It connects to another story about a crazy family which is the worst of the shorts. It is too predictable and still gives no closure to the koda im the lake story. It feels like that is artificially tacked together.

The story set in Mexico is my favorite. It is a complete atory with lota of scares particularly the claustrophobic kind. It was well done.

I have mixed feelings about the dream short bit i think it is the second best due to the gore. However it was very formulaic and predictable. It had some real stupid characters but overall was decent.

Finally the wrapper story about the alien found in the desert. It was unrealistic situation where an organism like this would end up at a lightly guarded college campus but i will ignore that. I thought the segments were interesting and the final act was cool. However it was kind of ruined by the joke scene at the end with the aerobics.

I almost forgot the technogod segment which is in the middle, It is understandable since this segment is very forgettable. The only good partofnit was the last 5 minutes of body horror. I could have also done without this one and wish they had found a better short

In summary the movie had flaws all over but did enough to keep me entertained. I wouldnt spend money to watch but if you can see for free it is worth a watch if you are into horror or the vhs movies.

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Although it doesn't show off the variety & versatility this franchise is renowned for, this newer expansion still possesses plenty of charm and freshness of its own that will help keep the audience committed for the entire course.

If you are an ardent follower of the V/H/S series or a general admirer of Found Footage features, you will find yourself right at home with sufficient blood and gore to satisfy your appetite. However, others may not get the appeal and might be confused about the rationale of the plot and its bizarre structuring. And that is completely understandable, as it is not made for everyone.

Please bear that in mind.

Short review: This is the definition of "if you like these films then you are going to like V/H/S/85." This film stays true to what we have come to expect from this franchise. The dark, gritty and often highly disturbing tone is all apparent here. But this one also has a few tricks that you won't have seen before. I won't spoil anything, but just know that there are some structural changes and they are game-changing and excellent additions.

As usual in these movie a few of the segments are better than the rest. There was certainly no absolute dud that ruined the film for 20 minutes by any means though. If you want to feel unclean and see some messed up things for 110 minutes then look no further than this film. It has everything you're after. 5.5/10.