The Ruins (2008)

The Ruins (2008)

Trash film in the 1st degree! Except for those who are used to the genre, of course. But there’s not much we can do for them, alas. Carter B. Smith doesn’t seem to have made any other (important) films, and I’m not going to complain.

I read this rather angry review, which makes it hilarious: “Confusing story, very bloody and harrowing with the incessant screaming. If you like that sort of thing, you should get eaten by plants in the sequel! PS: I hope nobody thinks of making a part two of this film!”

But you can also find this feature film thrilling, exciting, captivating. I can assure you, I don’t! If I tell you the story of this film, you’ll laugh your head off and think it’s a brilliant comedy. But, unfortunately, it takes itself a little too seriously! What’s more, there’s no explanation for some of the things that happen, and a few questions are left unanswered at the end. But if you’re not a film nerd, you won’t mind and you’ll see a good film!

Are you ready for the story? A group of young adult friends decide to go to Mexico to visit some ruins, with the help of two other tourists. They realise that the part they are looking for is not on the maps and is over-protected so that no-one can get to it.

Once there, an entire savage tribe kills one of their own. The others try to escape and run into the ruins. Two of them get badly injured. So they come back to ask the wild people for help (yes, you read that right!), but the wild people kill one more person. Of course they do! And that’s just the beginning!

After that, some plants start to move, imitate sounds and try to attack them! SUPER!!!

No, the film isn’t worth seeing and certainly can’t be watched more than once. It’s definitely worth avoiding! It’s another teen slasher with no surprises. The Mexico/Mayas/ancient legends theme isn’t new, but it doesn’t feel contrived here, though. I could have kept the plot to myself, but I don’t want to waste your time. Unless this is totally your kind of film. In that case, I’m sorry! So I won’t go into the other details.

The positives: Very well photographed, decent acting, sense and logic. Well, it doesn’t break any bones, but… But there you go!

Far from being good, not much to say, this film is really not recommended, except for horror fans or people who like to watch films under the influence of substances.

A story here, a story there, low budget with very acceptable effects. There’s a pleasantly scary side to it, because there are some disturbing and unsettling things here.
One viewing is enough, as is unfortunately the case with most new films. This horror film could have really surprised us on all sides. It’s not the worst I’ve seen either, and there are some scenes that will stay with me for a very long time…

Let’s just say that it’s a great story, with great images, so we can’t complain about that. But the best part is that Ben Stiller was co-producer! 😛
Incredible!

To conclude:

A brilliantly staged psycho-horror trip of a different kind. Most of the scenes take place in broad daylight, under the sun, and those who think it’s impossible to be scared or tense here are wrong. The film begins in typical teen movie fashion, with a party and handsome young actors. But you soon realise that there’s a lot more to the film than that!

Two or three fairly bloody and shocking scenes with a decent story. You might expect a copy of “The Descent”, but that’s not the case at all!

Average suspense for an average product. There are worse things, but there are also much better things. I have to admit that the plants are really great. There’s no murderer, no psychopath, no demon, and it all takes place in a very confined space: that’s what old-fashioned psychological horror looks like in a new guise!

Of course, the characters are typical of the genre. So are the beginning and the end of the film. But the film does without monsters or other deformed creatures. The result is extremely nasty and surprising at times, because some of the scenes really hurt. It’s up to you if you want to be surprised…

Sometimes, I confess, I don’t know what some people mean by a good horror film (probably as much carnage and bloodshed as possible), but I found this film gory enough without always being unbearable. So those who like horror films without being drowned in blood all the time should eventually see it.

It’s a pity that the ending (whatever it is) isn’t entirely satisfying, because if the locals are still there watching, we could learn a bit more about the background. I would have appreciated that in any case. Yes, that ending is really stupid. I would have liked to know more. It’s a shame, because it spoils the fun even more. All that’s left is a mediocre horror film.

I wouldn’t be one of those people who would say that the film is very coherent, because of course it’s not. It certainly starts off as a very average copy of ‘I know what you did last summer’, but after 20 minutes it really takes off with an innovative plot.

The characters are familiar, but good, and make us want to vibrate with them.

Jena Malone is unbearable in this film. But I respect her all the more. She doesn’t seem to take herself too seriously, and she doesn’t seem to be looking for a leading role. Playing in a film like this proves that she’s not afraid to embark on disturbing, testing or troubling experiences.

Shawn Ashmore is an actor I like, but for me it’s all about the mutant Iceman in X-Men. Apart from that, he was in the extremely bad Mother’s Day (2010), the very average Breaking the Girls (2013) and the not-so-great The Day (2011). On the other hand, I really liked Frozen (2010). At least that!

Laura Ramsey, whom I saw in the good Venom (2005) and the very bad Somewhere (2010), is always a pleasure to see. If you want to see her completely naked for almost three seconds, this is the place to do it, at the beginning! If you want to see it end badly, this is the place, towards the end!

It’s an uncompromising film – nothing is too much trouble.

I’ve tried to be as objective as possible. So : A rather long ‘little horror film’, boring at times, laughable, not really recommendable with beautiful scenery, good actors, a rather boring story quite bloody.

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