The mainstream horror genre is one that seems to straggle along year after year. While a plethora of low-budget, often straight-to-DVD releases fills the market and satisfies the needs of avid fans, mass-marketed theatrical releases are few. The number of quality films that make use of stronger budgets is even fewer, however, while anticipation mounts for upcoming films such as Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell and the remake of Friday the 13th, moviegoers would do well to check out one of 2009’s earliest and most prominent releases. My Bloody Valentine tunes into the suspense and gore factor that, alongside a script that doesn’t fall apart in production, proves to be effective in delivering a successful scare.
A remake of the 1981 slasher with the same title, My Bloody Valentine’s plot closely resembles its predecessor’s, yet is able to take advantage of stronger budget allowances. Set in a quiet mining town, the film follows the events of an estranged miner waking up from a coma induced by a cave-in. Arising from his slumber, Harry Warden proceeds to kill a large portion of the hospital staff, only to return to the mine and terrorize a group of young partygoers. Ten years later, the few surviving characters are reunited as one of the protagonists, Tom Hanniger, returns from a decade away, trying to cope with that one fateful night. Things soon take a turn for the worse, however, as Harry Warden returns in full mining attire and begins a murderous rampage, killing several townsmen.
The cast itself is composed of supporting actors and actresses from both television and film. Though these players, such as Kerr Smith (Dawson’s Creek) and Jaime King (Sin City), are new to the horror field, they manage to avoid most instances of the over-acting and mind-numbing dialogue scary movies are prone to.
One of the strong selling points of an immediate theatrical viewing is the film’s presentation in 3-D. Although the movie is screened in normal 2-D showings as well, certain scenes were seemingly made for the 3-D showing. The first R-rated film to be displayed in Real D, My Bloody Valentine uses the technology to effectively simulate pick axes and chunks of flesh being thrown at the audience. The extra dollar and change to view the 3-D showing is well worth it as the relatively new digital technology puts on a stunning performance. The movie, though associating more with over-the-top violence than character depth, utilizes a convincing cast and stomach-churning make-up effects to create a well-balanced addition to the genre and a runner for one of the year’s best.
Distinguishing itself for the sheer number of bodies mutilated throughout, My Bloody Valentine makes for a great slasher-gore flick. The 3-D experience offered at selects theaters makes it all the more enjoyable as fire bursts from the screen and into your face.
