Review of Chernobyl Diaries (2012) by Kyle E — 03 Nov 2012

File this one under mistake. Chernobyl Diaries is the newest "scarefest" (and I use the term loosely) from Mr. Paranormal Activity, Orin Peli, who won audiences over back in 2009 with that fantastic horror classic. Flash forward to 2012, and we are already three, now four deep into Paranormal Activity, and well, wouldn't you know but Mr. Peli wants to branch out a bit. Too bad he branches out into probably the most cliched horror film of the last ten years.

Chernobyl Diaries contains probably every horror cliche there is. Oh the van isn't working? Check. Is there someone behind us? Check. Our tour guide is dead? Check. Yep, it's all here, and that's the problem. There's nothing original about Chernobyl Diaries, and it had such potential to be something fantastic. And maybe it's just me, but I'm confused at how this was filmed. I thought this was going to be a found footage film, but it really doesn't play like one.

I found myself more annoyed at some of the obvious plot holes of the movie. Five minutes after getting to Chernobyl, we see some of the characters using cell phones to take pictures. Yet when things hit the fan, no one can produce a cell phone to call for help? Instead we have to rely on a walkie talkie? It's things like this that had me baffled through out the film. And don't even get me started on the "creatures" here. In fact the only promising moment of the film involves a small child, and it's a scene that is so quickly abandoned I question why it was even put in. It gave the film potential for a brief second, but again, a brief second.

The film ends on the most predictable conclusion you could have guessed. With it all being said, these kind of movies have much better options currently. Do yourself a favor and check out V/H/S, which is a fantastic found footage horror movie that pushes the genre in the correct direction. Be ready to see Chernobyl Diaries in the bargain bin's at a Walmart near you soon.