Post by slayrrr666 on May 5, 2006 11:47:29 GMT -5
"Mindhunters" is a really refreshing modern take on the slasher film.
**SPOILERS**
J.D. Reston, (Christian Slater) and his team of FBI specialists, Sara Moore, (Kathryn Morris) Nicole Willis, (Patricia Velasquez) Bobby Whitman, (Eion Bailey) Rafe Perry, (Will Kemp) Lucas Harper, (Johnny Lee Miller) Vince Sherman, (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Jake Harris, (Val Kilmer) travel to a deserted island for an exercise to complete their training. Detective Gabe Jensen, (LL Cool J) joins them on the trip. Settling in on the island reveals that everyone has their own stakes and egos in the pursuing activities. As the game gets underway, it becomes obvious that someone else is on the island, killing them off. Having to resort to their training and instincts to stay alive, no one trusts each other as to who the killer really is.
The Good News: In this time of dry horror remakes and uninspired rip-offs, it sure is nice to see a horror film go back to the roots to create a gory, fun time. The film has one of the most ingenious set-ups available in a slasher film, and it pulls it off pretty well. The film does have a fair share of suspense involved here, especially as the bodies pile up and the suspects dwindling. An extended hallway trap is perhaps the highlight, as it's a cleverly constructed one that utilizes many different twists to change it around, and the turn of events as it plays out wrings every amount of suspense from it. There are several other great moments like this peppered throughout the movie, which never really makes it all that boring. The way to off people was also nicely involved, as to's a clever twist that could've failed. The kills are all unique and inventive as well, which also helps the film rise another level. Nearly everyone has seen a decapitation, but the way it goes about doing it is one of the main thing about the film that stand it out above the pack.
The Bad News: I really think this film failed in what could've been the easiest part of it's job: making the isolated surroundings full of paranoia and tension. It's merely glossed over here and doesn't really give any real impression that it should've. In classics as "The Thing," the paranoia dripping off the screen is completely evident from the moment the film begins. Here, not so much. We are told they're isolated, but that's all. No real sense of tension, at least none of which that couldn't have been explained upon with more detail. Frankly, all the ending double-crosses got to be a little annoying after a while. Sure, this was due to the way the plot was going, but it still grated on your nerves more than anything.
The Final Verdict: Even though it doesn't create the dread it could've, this is still a really good thriller that uses a fresh approach and loads to class to stand out. This is still a good one and will really please fans of the newer slasher films and those looking for a release from the more mainstream horror.
Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Brief rear Nudity and brief scenes of dead animals
