ShawnBurkeJones

Just caught this one at GenreBlast & really enjoyed it. Wonderful atmosphere & fantastic performances all around. Catch it with a crowd if you can.

This a micro budget horror flick that delivers on all fronts. The low budget is used to its advantage to provide a creepy nightmarish vibe. The cinematography is generally quite sharp, and when it fallers, it just adds to the mood. Is the acting rough at times? Sure, but that's part of its hook that lulls you in expecting cheap exploitation, and turning those expectations right on their ear. The lead actress is very strong, and I expect to see her more often in the future. Effects are used sparingly, but are all convincing. Also worth noting is the over saturation of nudity in horrific situations to creep the audience out. There is gratuitous nudity off all kinds, but in the nightmarish situations it accents the scenes with a sense of taboo dread. The flick also knows not to wear out its welcome, and it's breezy running time lets the flick get in and out, taking care of the twists and scares efficiently and effectively, proof that the most interesting horror is coming from micro budget filmmakers.

Although not quite as "tight" as the first Spy Kids movie, this flick was certainly a whole lot of fun. There is stuff in here to keep both the kids, and the adults watching happy. The best bits include the coolest(although unrealistic) theme park in the world, a scene with 30 or so Spy Kids in action, and the 2nd half of the movie that's basically a running tribute to Ray Harryhausen. All the actors (including the kids) have settled into their roles quite nicely... although the inclusion of the parents (and grandparents) sometimes seems a bit forced, but it's all harmless fun. And a lot of fun it was.