Review of Wrong Turn (2003) by Johnny T — 25 Apr 2011

Situation goes from just a little scary to terrifying. Horror fans will have a blast, though it's unlikely anyone else will be won over. It's gruesome and nasty and a heck of a lot of fun for people who get a kick out of Fangoria. While this movie doesn't have the warped sensibilities of 1977's similarly plotted The Hills Have Eyes, it has decent performances and genuine suspense. Director Rob Schmidt, working from a screenplay by Alan McElroy, manages to keep the suspense up through the final hour of the film. Cast members acquit themselves agreeably, carrying off horror archetypes without much fanfare. Proof that an old genre can still have life as long as filmmakers are willing to fill it with energy, humor and respect for the genre. Add cannibals and beautiful teenagers and you've got an entertaining horror film. The result is sheer, unadulterated nastiness with no apologies.

VERDICT: "Rental" - (Negative to Mixed reaction). These films are only worth renting because of certain good things that are worth seeing, but are not worth paying at a theatre to see due to bad things that overcome anything good.