Review of Red Eye (2005) by Alicia C — 13 Apr 2010

Wes Craven in the past has given us some of the greatest horror classics whether they be "The Last the House on the Left"(1972), Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984), The Hills Have Eyes"(1977), "The Hills Have Eyes Part II"(1985), "Scream"(1996), "Scream II"(1997) and "Scream III"(2000). Craven has always delivered a new and terrifying twist on one of cinema's oldest and most revered genres the one thing about Craven I've always liked is that he doesn't try and do the same thing twice. Actually, I take that back he did do the same thing twice actually three times with the Scream series (It got ridiculous after two). Craven has always managed to give us a new and original look at horror, Craven has always stuck to the ground so the real question is what if the master of modern horror took to the skies.

Wes Craven's "RED EYE" is a smart and engaging economic thriller that while lacking the grounded terror of most Wes Craven films it does in fact evoke the oldest of all fears, the fear of flying. People fear flying for many reasons some fear it because they are afraid of heights like me. They fear flying because they are afraid the plane will have some kind of problem and crash; the reason for fear of flying is infinite and in this film it churns out a story that resonates well with modern audiences it is a story about one girl and one terrorist trapped on a red eye flight to Miami. Craven is a master of horror, has proved with this film that he can expanded past the trappings of the horror genre, and create an action thriller that works as a character driven story as much as it does as an action picture. The story of this picture in some ways lacks originality as it is reminiscent but not derivative of other films of it's type sort of like Wolfgang Petersen's "Air Force One" or George Seaton's "Airport " and don't get me wrong I enjoyed the story, I loved it but it could have worked out a little better in my opinion. "Red EYE" is one of the most engaging and tension filled films I have watched to date it works so much better than it should and even when it should sink, it floats.

It is not so much about terrorism as it is about conquering your fears and overcoming your doubt that is what Rachel McAdams has to do in the picture, she is pushed to the breaking point, figuratively speaking. The film is like being trapped in a giant tube 30,000 feet in the air with a lunatic (Talk about your stressful situation) and through shear will power, amazing direction and solid performances this film is worth the watch. it's a tension builder a potboiler that from the opening scene starts to build up and up and up until it finally boils over in the hot blooded finale.

Rachel McAdams I have never really been a fan of I mean she is a good actress and everything she just never truly made a film(Besides "The Notebook") that I liked, then came along "RED EYE", McAdams is so honest and so powerful in her performance that she just explodes onscreen. McAdams does not play the usual ?girl in a bad situation", no, her character Lisa Reisert is a tough resourceful young women who isn't afraid to kick some ass, and boy doe she kick ass. McAdams as it may seem is the one who steals the show but sorry to say that honor goes to the man who never gets the respect he deserves, Mr. Cillian Murphy. Cillian Murphy, I remember first seeing him in Christopher Nolan's reboot "Batman Begins" as the ever so menacing and yet poorly drawn out screen adaptation of Scarecrow Murphy was brilliant in that but sadly downplayed as a second rate villain next to Liam Neeson as the immortal Ra's al Ghul. Murphy demonstrated skill and craft in "Batman Begins" so much that I actually became a fan of his from just that film, now with "RED EYE" Murphy has solidified himself as one of my favorites and proved to me that he's more than just some bit player in a high profile film, Cillian Murphy is a true actor.

People expecting more chills than thrills will not exactly get what they want but those who are looking for an intelligent, tension riddled and intense thrill ride need look no further than Wes Craven's "RED EYE". Which shows the director?s craft and skill at much more than just horror and proves that a thriller can be much more than just big explosions and wall-to-wall action.