Review of Wake Wood (2011) by Trent R — 30 Mar 2011

I do not think it a spoiler to mention that there is some fairly graphic canine violence to a child near the beginning of the film. Given the 18 certificate and obvious premise, you should pretty much know what you're in for. However, this is followed by a series of sequences depicting death, birth, copious afterbirth, life... and then more death. This director loves his montage, and the large animal husbandry goings-on present a grisly opportunity to foreshadow Tim "All Creatures Great And" Spall getting his pagan country squire on later in. Fans of The Wicker Man should enjoy all of the various references about, as well as some Hitchcock, Don't Look Now, Exorcist, and a little Nothing But the Night.

Gillen's really in his element, given fans of Carcetti in The Wire do not go in typecasting him and miss the couple chemistry on screen with the excellent Eva Birthistle. The plot is nothing too unusual in terms of genre, but of course it is the small variations and execution that draw interest. And in those terms, this has several fun moments where expectations are declined or exceeded in a fun manner.

As a Hammer film, it is very promising - especially after Let Me In and The Resident. The cinematography is not quite as good as the latter and it is only a step or two more original. The score sounds a bit too inspired by Tubular Bells, just like that of The Resident - despite these being different composers. But the direction is more reliable, the editing more in rhythm with horrific reveals, and the writing much better in comparison. Overall, moving in the right direction, although still not hitting in all departments. The effects are fairly modest but generously sanguine and over-miked in the boneyard, although there is some less than fortunate CGI when graphic violence involves the child actor - understandably so, for the most part.

After an `09 premiere, this has gone straight from cinemas to dvd in the UK and I would hope that it does as well as it deserves. It's not a trip back in time for Hammer fans, a wholly original reinvention or a pandering homage - but a solid effort where it counts the most.