Review of The Signal (2007) by Newt C — 30 Jun 2008

Gets an extra half star for a more successful use of the "Four Rooms" vignette technique. Each Act is written and directed by a different person. Tim Roth's character in the aforementioned film is forced into the various vignettes whereas these follow a more natural, causal narrative structure.

Unfortunately the vignette technique does leave the film somewhat uneven. And frankly the second Act is the real joy of the film. Without that humorous second Act, I might've ranked this lower. It's standard "sane man in insane world" kind of horror that you'd see out of any recent zombie offering.

There's a false twist at the end that I think would only confuse the less savvy. Some character actions are unmotivated (seriously, who the hell listens to their walkman during dangerous mass hysteria???) This movie has a good reputation for indie horror that I don't think it really deserves.

Skip this unless you have academic interest in shared narrative or you're a die-hard horror fan who NEEDS to see everything that comes out in the genre.