Review of August Underground (2001) by Richard C — 21 Jun 2009

A technical marvel for gorehounds, some of the most realistic and gutwrenching simulated violence ever put to screen, but exceptional violence cannot mask the fact that this movie is dead behind the eyes. Strip away the violence and you are left with an empty screen.

There is no subtext to drive the shocks deeper, it's all surface shock tactics that don't last because there is nothing anchoring them down in your head. While it is a special effects masterpiece, it lacks the depth or the wonderfully perverted humanity of films like Salò, Audition or Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, which made them resonate with the viewer on a psychological level as well as a base gut reaction. In August Underground it's all for show and instantly disposable.

If all you need out of a film is sick effects work with the illusion of realism (which I can't stress enough, is astounding in its detail), then you won't go far wrong with this. If you want some tension and intellect to go with your horrific gore, then look elsewhere.

For me, there's more to horror than just violence.