[yasr_overall_rating]
Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin, where they get more than they bargained for, discovering the truth behind the cabin in the woods.
I never saw “The Cabin in the Woods” upon its initial theatrical release back in 2012. I can’t remember why because I love horror movies but once I finally did see it, I loved it. It takes everything you think you know about the horror genre and turns it completely upside down and inside out. And I mean that in the best possible way. The film works more so for those who are horror fans rather than the casual viewer whose curiosity might get the better of them because the horror fans will be apprised of the all-too-familiar horror tropes and metaphors. Initially, it appears to be the quintessential horror story, a group of kids hole up in an old abandoned log cabin in the woods, miles from civilization, and then all hell breaks loose. I know what you’re thinking, you’ve seen it all before in “The Evil Dead,” or “Cabin Fever,” or any number of the “Friday the 13th” movies. And that’s okay, that’s the whole idea behind “The Cabin in the Woods,” the filmmakers want you to think it’s just another entry in an otherwise jaded genre, but you would be mistaken in doing so.
Five college friends decide to take a break in the mountains at a remote cabin. They head out and as they get closer to the location, they stop at a seemingly abandoned gas station to ask for directions. Naturally, this apparently being a conventional horror movie, they are greeted by an old man who obviously doesn’t like young people, and tells them where the cabin is, then he proceeds to warn them to stay away. Of course, they ignore him and continue on their way but then the old man makes a phone call and tells the listening party that they are “on their way.” Intriguing, right? And that’s exactly what the rest of the film does too. They arrive at the cabin, go swimming, and in general, do what young people do when they are by themselves and the old adage about couples who have sex in horror films are typically the ones to die first, does that translate here? Well, you’ll have to see it for yourself.
I have to be pretty vague for those of you who haven’t seen it yet because to go into more detail, would surely ruin it for you but just know, when the entire story and narrative shifts into unexpected territory, a result of the characters not bringing to fruition, the clichéd idiosyncrasies and characteristics that would typically accompany them, we then have a horror story of a different kind altogether.
The script was written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, both of whom worked on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” and it was Mr. Goddard’s directorial debut and a damn fine one I might add. Filming took place in 2009 and while it was scheduled for release in 2010, it ended up being shelved due to ongoing financial difficulties, until its eventual release in 2012. The breakout star of the film would have to be Chris Hemsworth, who would eventually go on to become Thor and who would appear in both “Avengers” movies which were, ironically, directed by Joss Whedon. With a superb cast, atypical storytelling, and a progressive script that changes regularly, and unexpectedly, “The Cabin in the Woods” is most certainly not your archetypal horror film, instead, it takes what you think you know, flips it 360°, and then places you back in the same spot, but with different surroundings. Intriguing indeed!
Available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack September 5th
