Review of Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007) by Jason D — 29 Oct 2009

So I've been meaning to get this review up for FOREVER but have just never gotten around to it. So first let me say that I loved the first Wrong Turn. It was demented and actually scary (possibly due to the fact that it could in all honesty REALLY happen). Secondly I used to go by the idea that all made for DVD movies were crap. Well along with a select few others this movie has turned that thinking around. This movie is pure fun and a great call back to old school slashers.

So the movie plays out as follows. A group of people are led into the Virginian countryside to shoot a reality show with an ex us Marine (Rollins) as the host. The people soon find out that they aren't the only ones in the woods and are picked off by a group of canabalistic imbreds. The story, although it has probably been done before, is relatively fresh and very well carried out. First time director Joe Lynch, of music video fame, does a fantastic job at bringing all the dread and suspense to the screen. The gore is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! SPOILER ALERT: You get to see a chick get chopped right down the middle and a bucket of guts falls to the ground, disgusting yes but pure right out awesomeness CHECK THERE TOO! I also really REALLY loved the fact that the two stereotypical characters who always die first in horror movies are the ones making it throught the entire thing.

The acting is both hilarious and real. The satire on survival shows is hilarious and so well played out by former Black Flag singer Henry Rollins, that you almost feel like you are watching a real reality show. Once the shit hits the fan though he morphs into bad ass super marine and it's brilliant, "YOU'D BEST STAND DOWN!" is one of the funniest and most brilliant lines ever haha. The rest of the cast is a bunch of rather exceptional unknowns. Albeit they are in other movies I saw this as their break out role. Crystal Lowe, from Final Destination 3 and Black Christmas fame, returns once again as the sleaze ball hooker woman that we love so dearly. She is hilarious. Erica Leerhsen is fabulous as the vegan, goth chick, who turns into her own sort of action superhero by the end. Every moment spent with her is brilliant. And Texas Battle, also from Final Destination 3, is suprisingly good as the soulful football player who has a set of morals. The rest of the cast is really damn good as well and all deserve a round of applause.:D.

One thing that makes or breaks a horror movie is how fun it is. It has to be scary BUT if it's not fun then you may as well forget about it. And this one delivers. The thrills are there, not nearly as scary as say The Exorcist or Halloween but they're still strong enough to make you jump. The fun factor busts through the roof with the gore and humor. The gore is INCREDIBLE, I'm sure I've stated this before but it just must be stated. There are several scenes that are so over the top with the gore that you find yourself laughing (in a good way). This movie COMPLETELY nails the essence of the great 80s slasher flicks like Friday The 13th. The humor is also there, sometimes unintentionallly (ie. light flares behind Rollins in millions of shots making for fantastic and unintentional "HERO SHOTS") and mostly from the character of Jonesy (played by the hysterical Steve Braun). Although he does come off slightly annoying, he really steals every scene. He is absolutely Hysterical.

The movie really is good. Completely throw out any expectations going in because any and all will make this movie rather unenjoyable. Go in wanting to have fun and you'll be pleasantly surprised. BE SURE to pick this one up. For nostalgia's sake.

Oh and after you're done go check out these other made for DVD movies.

Automaton Transfusion - It's a great little extremely low budget Zombie flick that is the first in a planned trilogy. Forget about the horrid acting and you'll have found a low budget gem.

Feist - A monster flick that is absolutely INSANE! The gore and fun is over the top and for all the SAW fans out there it's penned by the same guys who wrote Saw IV and V.

Laid To Rest - A really really gory Slasher flick that takes a rather simple plot and keeps you engaged the entire time and also check out Lightening Bug, a movie by the same guy. You'll love em I promise.

Let The Right One In - albeit it is a Swedish film that did get a theatrical release it still didn't get released here so suck it! Anyways Twilight can suck on my balls. This is how a vampire movie SHOULD be done.

Martyrs - again a foreign language film that didn't make it to the states til DVD. A highly disturbing movie that will have you cringing a week after seeing it.

Splinter - One of the most clever monster movies I've ever seen. Super low budget and still fantastic.

I've got several others but that should keep you busy for now.