Review of Dismal (2008) by Lysette D — 24 Jun 2011

I go in to all of these horror films with the same idea, this could be a great film and 9 times out of 10 I am wrong... This is no exception, If there is something I do not like in these films are redneck killers. This all came about because of Staunton Hill one of the worst films I have ever seen. Next I can not stand it when you blame the killing on a mentally ill person. Just look at the poster of the film...

Never the less you have a group of students on a "field trip" and they take it in the woods where no one will find them (sounds like a great idea). Out here the run into the what could possible be the scariest thing in the whole world a DEAD animal body (They scream and cry for at least 2 min at the sight of this washed up crock) They call an officer of woods to take a look he is like "ugg leave me be I am so hungover and while the officer is on the scene of the crime he states his name (Dale) and winks yep that is his trade mark, he has got nothing on The Fantastic Mr. Fox. That night the film decides to show that old horror films are still alive by setting the scene as two young people are about to get it on and then the killer comes on to the scene (no joke).He gets started with what is surprizingly a bad ass kill. I do not wish to spoil it. Then the girl makes a run for it screaming and giving me a nasty headack. Then she steps on a bear trap and you would think she would scream louder WRONG from her shin down is ripped off and has like no reaction he continues to hop away and step on another and then falls head first on to the final bear trap. The effects were pretty bad for this scene... figures coming off the best scene in the movie...

The movie continues to take the route that I do not like which I refer to as the "The Strangers Effect" if you saw that movie what happens at the end is the main character becomes a killer after being almost killed like saying "I almost died but that must of been so fun for the killers two bad I can only have seen it in first person I must test it out for myself (on a child never the less)... But back to it's purpose after the character is almost killed and and eaten she has a taste of blood herself.... I hate that so much Road Kill did something similar to that.

When it comes down to humans eating each other I have mixed emotions on the subject. I have seen it done terribly (Road Kill and other horror films) and I have seen it done masterfully (Grimm Love) before so I have no opinion on the matter except if you are going to do it please do it with style and as you would guess there is no style here it is rather disappointing.

Now when it comes to the characters, they are bland just a movie looking to make a quick buck and you can see that just really did not care about the film simply half assed throughout the film besides one scene there is not effort. Side note as other reviews have stated the CGI is really that bad... looks like the effects you would see on youtube videos oh yea its that perfect!

Final Verdict 17% out of 100% I seem to come across as harsh but I really mean what I say with a deep passion, under no circumstance should this be watched stay away do not give it the benfit of wasting your money. I guess the only value you will get from this is if you have a bunch of friends over you watch it for free and rift on for it's 1hr and 17mins.