Cabin In The Woods [Blu-ray + Digital Copy]

Such a good movie

Dismantles horror tropes one by one and then serves up something new with a satisfying ending

"The Cabin in the Woods" is a terrific horror film that breaks free from the mainstream trend of paranormal home videos and pathetic PG-13 remakes. It is campy and quirky - what I like to call "fun horror" (ala "Scream," "Drag Me to Hell" or "Trick 'r Treat"). And it definitely has its fair share of grit and gore to compliment its tongue in cheek attitude. The story involves a group of partying college kids and a separate, seemingly unrelated team of scientists who are embarking on an experiment. All we know for certain is that the college kids are the unsuspecting experimental guinea pigs. The movie unfolds slowly, and like its main characters, the audience never really knows what's going on. Spoilers do no favors for a film like this, so the plot synopsis ends there. Don't read too many reviews prior to seeing this movie: The less you know about it, the more enjoyable the experience will be. The audience is provided little bits of information throughout the course of the film. Whenever the plot reveals a new twist, it also introduces new questions. The audience, just like the characters in the movie, are guided through a macabre yet fascinating story that continues to expand into something bigger. The final 25 minutes of the the movie will answer most questions, leave a few unresolved, and spill plenty of blood in the process. Watching "The Cabin in the Woods," I was reminded of certain horror films I grew up watching that were completely mind-boggling and unique... films that today are considered cult classics, such as: "Phantasm," "Re-Animator," and particularly the "Evil Dead" movies. They all had a campy charm to them, and the audience had absolutely no idea what was going on or what was going to happen next. This is what makes CITW such a delight to watch- it takes the most typical horror cliches, complete with the stereotypical group of college kids(the jock, slut, stoner, bookworm and virgin) and manages to create the most original horror movie I've seen in years. While it's never a "terrifying" movie by any stretch, it achieves a respectable level of creepiness throughout. It's a snarky ride that defies traditional horror convention - and for that reason probably won't find its target with mainstream audiences (they will be the "haters"). However, if you're a fanboy (or fangirl) of those campy cult classics that take you on a ride into the unknown (ala "Phantasm", "Evil Dead", "Re-Animator" and a dash of "13 Ghosts" thrown in for good measure), you will probably want to add this to your collection.

This is not only a brilliant horror film, but also a brilliant deconstruction of horror films. If you're a fan of the horror genre, you absolutely have to see it. It's scary, suspenseful, and sexy; but it's also funny, clever, and self-aware. It's a fresh new take on a genre that was starting to get rather stale. Written by geek icons Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, produced by Whedon, and directed by Goddard, this film takes all of the standard tropes you'd expect to find in a modern, blood-soaked horror movie, shines a spotlight on them, and gives them a fresh new interpretation that somehow manages to be both subversive and celebratory at the same time. Here, subtext becomes text, as Goddard and Whedon pull back the curtain and allow us to see what's really going on behind the scenes of the typical slasher film, letting us in on the secret of why all of these movies seem to follow the same basic plot. Some things in this movie will feel very familiar to anyone who has seen any of the popular horror films of the past few decades, especially the "Halloween", "Friday the 13th", and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" franchises and their derivatives. But everything else in this movie is so original, so unexpected, and so unlike anything we've ever seen before in a slasher film that it transcends the genre and redefines what a horror movie is capable of being. This is not merely a horror film. It's a subtle commentary on the very nature of horror films. It is a loving critique of the genre, as well as a satirical homage to it. It's not a parody like the "Scary Movie" franchise; though it does often blur the line between the grotesque and the absurd. This is an actual horror thriller that is just as suspenseful, just as violent, and just as gory as any other slasher film. But there's a lot more to it than that. As you'd expect from Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard -- who first worked together on Whedon's cult classic TV series, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" -- this movie manages to find the dark humor in the midst of all the horror; and it celebrates the aesthetics of the macabre. More importantly (at least from the perspective of geeks like me) this movie has an intellectual depth to it that you just don't find in the typical slasher film. If you're not a geek, you can thoroughly enjoy this movie simply for its edge-of-your-seat thrills, its laugh-out-loud jokes, and its eye-candy cast (personally, I liked the redhead; but, then again, I always like the redhead). But geeks will also appreciate the clever subtext that Goddard and Whedon have built into this film. There's definitely a lot going on underneath the surface. If you're a fan of horror movies, you really owe it to yourself to watch this. And you'll definitely want to watch it more than once in order to make sure you catch all of the subtle details that are easy to miss the first time around. I think you'll also enjoy the bonus materials included on this disc. I certainly had a big grin on my face the entire time I was watching the mini documentary on the making of the film, and the featurettes on monster design and special effects. It's fun to see how all this stuff gets done. The audio commentary by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard is also a lot of fun to listen to. Overall, the special features complement the movie quite nicely. I was quite pleased with them. I can't guarantee that you'll love this movie as much as I do, because your tastes may be very different from mine. But if what I've written here has piqued your curiosity about this film, then you really need to check it out and decide for yourself whether or not you like it. I'm certainly glad I saw it.

This is a hilarious take on horror movies. Its got all the tropes and is just having a good-time with it. One of those horror comedies that helped redefine the genre.

Warning: Major Plot spoilers * * * * * * Last night we watched 'The Cabin in the Woods'. From the title and brief description I read, I was expecting the usual type horror story. The kind with partying college or high school kids isolated from the rest of civilization doing stupid things and a monster killing them off one by one. Just like in so many other films before. Instead this one had an interesting twist to it. The party bound college kids in this film were actually being set up by some sort of secret organization that periodically sacrificed young people to various type of horrors zombies, ghosts, werewolves, giant bats and so in. The human sacrifices were needed in order to keep some giant Lovecraftian type creatures from taking over the world. It's similar to the way virgins had once been sacrificed in ancient cultures to appease their gods like being thrown into a volcano or stabbed on an altar. Now the young were being sacrificed in a different way and certain types were needed like a studious one, a virgin, an athlete, a buffoon, a promiscuous girl and so on. Also they were being watched by TV cameras without their knowledge. They were even drugged in order to affect their actions and ways were set up to prevent their escape. A few of the assigned victims decided not to give in so easily to the zombies killers sent to destroy them. Instead they turn the tables on the organization that is using them as sacrifices. The organization itself was an interesting setup. They almost seemed like any other group of white collar corporate co-workers, even taking bets on what type of horror the victims would inadvertently pick to destroy themselves. The way others might bet on the outcome of a weekly pro football game. When it looked like all was going as planned they seemed to be having a typical office type party to celebrate another success. They cared little for the lives of the people they had set up. They viewed it as something necessary for the survival of humanity and were used to it. This added side plot to the movie made all the difference to me, making it refreshingly different instead of the usual formula. As many of you know, I don't care for gore fests or that kind of film. I did like this movie and the sort that take you off guard, it was not overly gory and was different for a change. It also had an appropriate final scene. I give it a 3 out of 5 rating.

It has been so long since I watched this movie, but I needed to rent it from Prime and I've decided to write a little review for anyone who has yet to see it and are curious. "The Cabin in the Woods" delivers an exhilarating cinematic experience that defies traditional horror tropes and keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. From the very beginning, the film establishes a unique tone that expertly blends horror, humor, and meta-commentary. The result is a refreshing take on the genre that left me thoroughly entertained and engaged from start to finish. One of the standout elements of the film is its clever subversion of horror conventions. While the setup might seem familiar—a group of friends heading to a remote cabin—what unfolds is a thought-provoking and unexpected narrative that challenges the audience's expectations. The way the story skillfully navigates between suspenseful horror and self-aware satire showcases the filmmakers' ability to keep viewers guessing while delivering genuine thrills. The cast's performances are equally impressive, with the ensemble delivering memorable and relatable characters. The chemistry between the actors adds depth to their interactions, and their reactions to the escalating events feel genuine, further immersing me in the unfolding chaos. The film's visual effects and practical effects work in tandem to create a visceral and visually captivating experience that elevates the tension and terror. "The Cabin in the Woods" is a brilliant and imaginative horror film that offers a humourous tone on the genre. Its intelligent storytelling, masterful blend of horror and humor, and strong performances make it a must-watch for both horror enthusiasts and those seeking a cinematic experience that challenges conventions. If you're looking for a film that pushes boundaries and keeps you guessing until the very end, "The Cabin in the Woods" is a remarkable choice that delivers on all fronts.

One of my favorite horror movies.