Preservation

If you decide to see "Preservation", there is a strong likelihood that you'll find the plot familiar. That's because it dates all the way back to 1924, with Richard Connell's story "The Most Dangerous Game". A few years later, the story would be brought to the big screen in the classic story by the same name, starring Joel McCrea and Leslie Banks. Since then, the story has been re-written time and time again--appearing in television shows (such as "Get Smart", believe it or not) and various movies. So, you cannot exactly give this film many points when it comes to originality.

Like the old story, someone likes hunting. But instead of animals, their quarry is people. The only huge difference here is that you really don't know who the killer or killers are until the end of the film--whereas in the original story is was some twisted Russian aristocrat. Otherwise, the three victims spend more than half the film on the run--trying to avoid being someone's trophy. There really isn't a whole lot more to the story than this.

On the plus side, the film is very tense. Some of the acting is pretty good and despite a small budget, the movie looks good. I also liked the identity of the hunters--this was an interesting twist. On the negative, the film isn't exactly fun to watch. After all, folks are getting butchered and there isn't a whole lot of subtlety about it. I also was irked by a cliché that I often see in films---someone disables their attacker and instead of finishing off the killer, they almost immediately turn their back on them so that they can be murdered. I don't know about you, but if someone is trying to kill me, I don't beat them up and then turn my back unless I am 110% sure that they are truly dead. Overall, I don't consider it a bad nor a good film but there isn't enough about it that would have me recommend you go see it. If you hate violent films, there's also another reason to avoid this one.

I saw promise in this film. In the future, I'd like to see these actors and filmmakers do a more challenging project--something with more originality and which allow them to expand on their skills.

This movie was reminiscent of EdenLake but a tad more inferior. A decent story n plot n the acting was good. The characters were also above average.

There was some suspense but it was predictable.

All the way through the movie was also predictable n has been seen many times.

The ending was also forseen n predictable.

A decent movie if you like menacing chase n hide films.

I read from another reviewer that this was compared to "You're next" by a critic and was even rated better/higher than that. Let me back his opinion up: You're next is way superior than this, but it's also a different cup of tea and you shouldn't compare it. Since we can't see who's doing what for a very long time in this movie, this can be compared to the Spanish "King of the Hill" ... you can also mix a bit of Eden Lake into it (as there was a female lead character in that too).

Unfortunately the movie is letting one down after a rather strong beginning, which is a shame. A friend of mine felt that it was stronger (the survival instinct, the title is suggesting). Some things you have to figure out for yourself, but this movie has too many holes to be really great in my book. Still decent though

Preservation is in my opinion, this generation's version of The Most Dangerous Game.

When the film starts it introduces us to the three main characters: Sean (Pablo Schreiber) a war veteran with dark past, his brother Mike (Aaron Staton) and his RN wife Wit (Wrenn Schmidt) who has a secret of her own. The start up is a nice setup for the weekend, a hunting trip (in an abandoned state park). When Wit finds out that a so-called couples weekend with her husband turns itself on its head as Mike joins the party, tensions begin to arise. Mike and Wit are having martial problems and its apparent more so when Sean enters the picture.

The two brothers seem to have a kind of love/hate relationship. As the day continues, tensions seem to rise as Mike continues to ignore his wife and stay focused on Sean and his work phone. Wit and Sean, as the night goes on seem to develop somewhat tense friendship which unbeknowst to them Mike is witnessing. By this time, night has fallen and personas and characterization has developed amongst our leads. The night ends with the three going to bed by the light of the campfire. This is where the story takes a turn....

*On a personal note, I was NOT expecting this turn of events - my initial idea of this script was way off base as I went into this blind regarding the premise*

A major turn of events happens during the night which isn't unveiled until morning, when our leads wake up and all of their personal belongings have been taken! I am talking about everything (including the tent they were sleeping in). This alone in my opinion is a good set-up for psychological horror as the direction is bizarre yet occasionally eerie. This chain of events turns everyone on everyone as they are yet unaware of the actual horror that will befall them. The actions that take place after I will admit some are typical clichés that are seen from most "stupid people" in "most horror films", but that doesn't take away from the tension that picks up. The three realize that unknown and unseen assailants are hunting them with their own weapons as well as using the "need to survive" against them as they begin to run out of time.

The first half of the film is a somewhat character study as well as a philosophy of the appreciation of nature. The climax of the film and the unveiling of the assailants (especially how they are acclimated to the violence) is shocking and almost realistic in realtime.

This film has been referred to as a sorta "You're Next" kinda film, but I don't see how. Granted the film may have several plot holes and some scenes may have been executed (pun intended) with something more in mind, but dammit this was a damn fun film and had several moments of tension. I'd recommend watching this film and I myself will be adding this to my collection.

Wasn't expecting much going into this one but was pleasantly surprised. It's well shot, the acting is solid, and the story (while not very original) is interesting enough to keep you watching. It combines aspects of a lot of other horror movies and molds them into one pretty watchable romp in the woods.

I saw someone mention that the protagonists are unlikeable, I would have to disagree with this. The two brothers aren't exactly the greatest people in the world but they were realistic characters imo and I found myself rooting for them despite some of the vulgar stuff that was said by them. I really like how they portrayed the antagonists as well.

"Preservation" is a pretty decent horror flick, it's not super original or overly gory but it does manage to be entertaining through out and provide some pretty tense scenes. I suggest checking it out if you enjoy horror films, we get mostly crap nowadays so when a decent flick comes around it is worth it to check it out.

6/10