[LakeEarth]

I really liked the movie. Great fun. Best title sequence ever.

Haven't read the thread, so it might have been discussed. I like how its clear someone has sabotaged all the sacrifices, probably ancient worshippers. The weed made the one guy immune, made them think he was dead when he wasn't, the bomb not going off, and although it wasn't specifically stated, the conveniently placed 'unleash all hell' button needed a key that was just sitting there. So I liked that.

[echoshifting]

Haven't read the thread, so it might have been discussed. I like how its clear someone has sabotaged all the sacrifices, probably ancient worshippers. The weed made the one guy immune, made them think he was dead when he wasn't, the bomb not going off, and although it wasn't specifically stated, the conveniently placed 'unleash all hell' button needed a key that was just sitting there. So I liked that.

A very interesting notion! That hadn't occurred to me.

[Neuromancer]

I'd love to talk about the force field in the terms of the movie's literal world! What were you attempting to discuss? If it was me, I apologize. I try not to do shit like that, but everyone slips now and then.

No it wasn't you, you're OK in my book.

I was just wondering where people thought the force field came from. Human technology, or maybe the ancients?

[beelzebozo]

No it wasn't you, you're OK in my book. I was just wondering where people thought the force field came from. Human technology, or maybe the ancients?

this is all speculative of course, but my immediate reaction is to say that there seemed to be some kind of scientific nature to the forcefield, or at least it gave the impression of being technological rather than mystical in nature. this is consistent with the nature of the organization, which is ten times as clandestine as something like the CIA, and so the trope of secret government organizations having advanced tech that the public knows nothing about and cannot comprehend also applies here. now, where exactly they got that technology themselves is up in the air, and that kind of question also applies to the monsters, i.e., that it is not clear where the monsters came from and how the organization caught them.

i think it's a fair assumption to draw these lines in the sand, even if they seem arbitrary:
[1] things that could conceivably be explained by science or have technology themes are likely the result of the organization's very advanced access to the development of technologies hidden from the public
[2] things that seem magical or impossible through technology are ancient or mystical in nature and should be addressed on those terms, sitting outside the rules of tech and science.

[echoshifting]

No it wasn't you, you're OK in my book. I was just wondering where people thought the force field came from. Human technology, or maybe the ancients?

Gotta be human tech, I think. There is a stark contrast between the machines of the ancients and those of the people who serve them. The ancients' ritual altars, gears and levers are all carefully ensconced in the walls of the "cabin," and there is clearly a large focus on research & development among the "servants." It's possible the ancients grant them access to, say, infinite funding, perhaps some quantum equations man hasn't hammered out yet. But there seems to have been a human contribution in the creation of the original altars; I imagine that holds true for the force field as well.

I guess my answer is really "both."

i think it's a fair assumption to draw these lines in the sand, even if they seem arbitrary: [1] things that could conceivably be explained by science or have technology themes are likely the result of the organization's very advanced access to the development of technologies hidden from the public [2] things that seem magical or impossible through technology are ancient or mystical in nature and should be addressed on those terms, sitting outside the rules of tech and science.

I agree with this. However, I still think the ancients are gently guiding R&D along in some distant fashion. Fixing the game just enough, as Lin (chem dpt) says. She's referring to their victims, of course, but I suspect this applies to some degree with them as well.

[beelzebozo]

Gotta be human tech, I think. There is a stark contrast between the machines of the ancients and those of the people who serve them. The ancients' ritual altars, gears and levers are all carefully ensconced in the walls of the "cabin," and there is clearly a large focus on research & development among the "servants." It's possible the ancients grant them access to, say, infinite funding, perhaps some quantum equations man hasn't hammered out yet. But there seems to have been a human contribution in the creation of the original altars; I imagine that holds true for the force field as well. I guess my answer is really "both." I agree with this. However, I still think the ancients are gently guiding R&D along in some distant fashion. Fixing the game just enough, as Lin (chem dpt) says. She's referring to their victims, of course, but I suspect this applies to some degree with them as well.

hard to say. seeing how much more advanced the tech of other countries' respective "organizations" were would definitely help guide my thoughts on this, i suppose. if you saw a consistently hyperadvanced state in tech with japan, russia, etc., there'd be reason to think there was more going on than just trying really hard.

[kirblar]

A very interesting notion! That hadn't occurred to me.

Wow, yeah, that's definitely the case.

[piratepwnsninja]

this is all speculative of course, but my immediate reaction is to say that there seemed to be some kind of scientific nature to the forcefield, or at least it gave the impression of being technological rather than mystical in nature. this is consistent with the nature of the organization, which is ten times as clandestine as something like the CIA, and so the trope of secret government organizations having advanced tech that the public knows nothing about and cannot comprehend also applies here. now, where exactly they got that technology themselves is up in the air, and that kind of question also applies to the monsters, i.e., that it is not clear where the monsters came from and how the organization caught them. i think it's a fair assumption to draw these lines in the sand, even if they seem arbitrary: [1] things that could conceivably be explained by science or have technology themes are likely the result of the organization's very advanced access to the development of technologies hidden from the public [2] things that seem magical or impossible through technology are ancient or mystical in nature and should be addressed on those terms, sitting outside the rules of tech and science.

I thought it was mentioned where the monsters come from. They are referred to as 'remnants of the old world.' Old world being when the ancients ruled. I'm sure that R&D does have some mystical hoodoo to control, guide, etc. Maybe they really are in charge of finding and making these things. Or maybe not. If they are from that time, then their prime directive is likely always, 'Find and kill/torment humans' Doesn't matter either way though. Either works as an explanation and would be fun sequel fodder to explore.

One thing I really liked is once they entered the force field, it was absolutely quiet outdoors. No birds, crickets, frogs. Anything.

[PhoenixSFT]

http://m.io9.com/5902873/the-secret-...n-in-the-woods

Interesting article from io9 that explains who Kevin is, and other things Whedon and Goddard came up with.

[echoshifting]

One thing I really liked is once they entered the force field, it was absolutely quiet outdoors. No birds, crickets, frogs. Anything.

Such a nice touch. Didn't notice until they realized there were no stars.

[LOCK]

Loved, loved, loved this film. As much as I enjoy the genre, it really needed a film like this to put things into perspective.

My thoughts exactly.

[echoshifting]

http://m.io9.com/5902873/the-secret-...n-in-the-woods Interesting article from io9 that explains who Kevin is, and other things Whedon and Goddard came up with.

Great read. Sounds like I'm goin again this weekend ;p

They're not ruling out a sequel. Just because the ending is pretty final doesn't mean you can't come back from that, because with these kinds of comedic films, there's always a way, says Goddard.

...sigh. Well. I suppose I will grudgingly accept the possibility of a sequel as long as Whedon and Goddard are at the helm. I dare them to make a good sequel to this movie. I don't think it can be done.

[KevinCow]

Didn't the movie kinda flop, though?

[we.are.the.armada]

Just saw the movie - damn, I loved it and I love Joss Whedon. It was that much better for me too as I have just watched every season of Buffy.

I kept noticing some problems with consistency and logic but I didn't mind since I had a feeling that the entire movie was a metaphor for the entertainment industry. It was just damn good fun and that part with the merman was fucking priceless! The irony, the music, the low angle, the fog, the actor, the makeup, the kill! Oh my.

[bluemax]

So this does the whole meta thing like Rubber?

[Neuromancer]

http://m.io9.com/5902873/the-secret-...n-in-the-woods Interesting article from io9 that explains who Kevin is, and other things Whedon and Goddard came up with.

Thanks for posting the article, I just ordered the companion to tide me over until it comes out on Bluray:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Cabin-Wood.../dp/1848565240

[icarus-daedelus]

So this does the whole meta thing like Rubber?

Kiiiinda, but totes different from Rubber.

And actually good.

[piratepwnsninja]

Thanks for posting the article, I just ordered the companion to tide me over until it comes out on Bluray: http://www.amazon.com/The-Cabin-Wood.../dp/1848565240

Yup, ordered that as well.

I've already seen the film twice. Last time I did that was...man, I can't even remember.

[Neuromancer]

Yup, ordered that as well. I've already seen the film twice. Last time I did that was...man, I can't even remember.

I want to see it again too. If my dad was around I'd definitely take him to see it but by the time he's back in the country I think it'll be too late to see in theaters. =/

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Sequel.

Hm.

I'm not content with that. But, I mean, if they think there is a story there.

[See You Next Wednesday]

Saw this movie today ($12 for one afternoon ticket at AMC, my fucking God what a rip off) based solely off the hype posted here.
Read no reviews & the trailer looked like generic garbage.

The concept was pretty amazing tying up all horror movie before it & with a Lovecraftian mytho behind it all.
The actual movie, not so much. Some bad CG & tame monsters/kills downgraded the movie for me as well as the weak acting & some sub-par looking sets.

The movie is also a complete rip off of Joss Whedon's own Buffy series season 4 end arc.

[Ashhong]

Can someone just answer this, I don't want to read through the thread for fear of spoilers.

Is the horror in this supernatural? That's the only kind of horror I cannot take my girlfriend to.

[beelzebozo]

Can someone just answer this, I don't want to read through the thread for fear of spoilers. Is the horror in this supernatural? That's the only kind of horror I cannot take my girlfriend to.

yes and no.

to be honest, i don't think there's anything really terrifying in the film. i don't think it aspires to be terrifying.

[wildfire]

Is this proper scary or does it have cheap flash scares? That's all I want to know. Scary > scares. I want a movie to be unsettling! Not flash images at me that make me jump. Ofcourse I'm gonna jump; shit's unexpected!

It has flash scares but they aren't cheap shots for gratification.

It also has scares that make you question humanity. Ignore the other posts that say the latter isn't part of the point of the movie because they are wrong. You miss out on some of the satire if you don't feel horrified with what certain characters are doing.

[beelzebozo]

It has flash scares but they aren't cheap shots for gratification. It also has scares that make you question humanity. Ignore the other posts that say the latter isn't part of the point of the movie because they are wrong. You miss out on some of the satire if you don't feel horrified with what certain characters are doing.

there's a difference between being horrified at what someone is doing on a moral/ethical level, and actual complete terror.

and telling someone to ignore my post? bitch plz.

[Gigglepoo]

One quick question: When the red phone rings during the party, we find out the "people upstairs" messed with the wiring so the tunnel wouldn't cave in. This was never alluded to again. I assumed the director was going to reveal plans of sabotage, but Weaver seemed gung-ho to kill the fool.

Also, this is the best horror movie in years.

Like the Blair Witch sequels. Happens to every horror movie I derive a modicum of enjoyment from.

I'm one of the few people who really loved Book of Shadows. The concept of seeing your perception of reality proven false is terrifying.

[judhudson]

One quick question: When the red phone rings during the party, we find out the "people upstairs" messed with the wiring so the tunnel wouldn't cave in. This was never alluded to again. I assumed the director was going to reveal plans of sabotage, but Weaver seemed gung-ho to kill the fool. Also, this is the best horror movie in years. I'm one of the few people who really loved Book of Shadows. The concept of seeing your perception of reality proven false is terrifying.

The 'people upstairs' was referring to the survivors (Marty in general) tampering with the Elevator and causing a short in the wiring.

[LakeEarth]

One quick question: When the red phone rings during the party, we find out the "people upstairs" messed with the wiring so the tunnel wouldn't cave in. This was never alluded to again. I assumed the director was going to reveal plans of sabotage, but Weaver seemed gung-ho to kill the fool.

There's two possibilities, IMO.

1. Everything just went wrong. The pot the dude brought wasn't the 'laced' one that Amy Acker's character mentioned, which made him immune to the chemicals in the air, they thought he was dead when he wasn't despite being heart monitored, his fiddling with the elevator somehow screwed up the cave bomb. And the 'purge' button just so happened to be there, protected only by the guy who got knocked out in the elevator.

OR

2. Sabotage. Someone wanted the gods to rise. The pot somehow made him immune to the chemicals in the air. On purpose? The order to explode the cave didn't arrive. Hmm. And I swear there was a key above the "unleash hell" button in that strangely unmanned security office. Was that key placed there on purpose? Also, all other scarifies failed as well, including Japan who according to the movie, never failed before.

Possibly just be me reading into it too much, or this is totally on purpose.

[HiResDes]

Saw this movie today ($12 for one afternoon ticket at AMC, my fucking God what a rip off) based solely off the hype posted here. Read no reviews & the trailer looked like generic garbage. The concept was pretty amazing tying up all horror movie before it & with a Lovecraftian mytho behind it all. The actual movie, not so much. Some bad CG & tame monsters/kills downgraded the movie for me as well as the weak acting & some sub-par looking sets. The movie is also a complete rip off of Joss Whedon's own Buffy series season 4 end arc.

We saw the same film.

[jcutner]

If the sacrifices have to be the whore, jock, intellect, virgin and fool

How does that play out in the Japan scenario?

[echoshifting]

yes and no. to be honest, i don't think there's anything really terrifying in the film. i don't think it aspires to be terrifying.

I agree with you, but my wife thought the first two acts were scary as hell. Not a big horror fan ;p

She loved the third act, though, and that's saying a lot.

[LakeEarth]

If the sacrifices have to be the whore, jock, intellect, virgin and fool How does that play out in the Japan scenario?

The cabin was the US horror movie cliche. The Japan scenario was its own horror movie cliche (evil little girl, school girls). I'd have to watch it again, but they briefly showed other country's attempts which probably reflect horror movies from those areas as well.

[piratepwnsninja]

If the sacrifices have to be the whore, jock, intellect, virgin and fool How does that play out in the Japan scenario?

They mention that its different for every culture, but the idea is still the same. i.e. sacrificing youth

[HiResDes]

If the sacrifices have to be the whore, jock, intellect, virgin and fool How does that play out in the Japan scenario?

They'd just use the, "We work with what we have," copout. Don't go looking for plot holes, as this film is much more wholly focused on providing an allegorical satire than the porous nature of its plot.

[echoshifting]

One quick question: When the red phone rings during the party, we find out the "people upstairs" messed with the wiring so the tunnel wouldn't cave in. This was never alluded to again. I assumed the director was going to reveal plans of sabotage, but Weaver seemed gung-ho to kill the fool.

My interpretation of this was that The Director needed to reroute power to keep everything from going apeshit. There is a massive earthquake when the [redneck] zombie [pain cultist] attempts to kill The Fool and fails. It is suggested that something must be going on upstairs, if I recall correctly. The massive power reroute may have been necessary to prevent The Fool's survival from incurring the wrath of the ancient ones.

That said, I find LakeEarth's ideas about sabotage quite interesting. That is a definite possibility, supported by some of the other unexplained events in the film.

They mention that its different for every culture, but the idea is still the same. i.e. sacrificing youth

This was my interpretation as well.

Incidentally, that is a pretty big unmarked spoiler, folks.

[Balphon]

I saw the film the other day, and after thinking about it for awhile, I feel like I would've liked this movie more if all the main characters weren't such total douchebags. I understand that it's meant to be satirical, but good satire also works when taken at face value, whereas this film just, well, doesn't. It's a shame, too, because I loved parts of it.

[YoungHav]

ya know, after seeing the high ass rottentomatoes rating I was expecting a bit more from this movie. Maybe what took some of the bite out for me was Hunger Games, with the whole people behind the scenes manipulating shit. The whole appease the gods shit was ok to me. The monsters loose in the facility CGI fest was a bit corny to me but I would say I enjoyed the movie. "Best horror movie in years" is like the skinniest kid at Fat Camp at this point, nowhere near enough to challenge 28 Days Later or The Shining IMO.

[LakeEarth]

Not enough love for the title sequence.


So I'm probably going to get the power drill and fix the cabinets. Maybe you could come over and we could have some beers and... you're not even listening to me, are you?

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS!!!!!

[mjc]

I saw the film the other day, and after thinking about it for awhile, I feel like I would've liked this movie more if all the main characters weren't such total douchebags. I understand that it's meant to be satirical, but good satire also works when taken at face value, whereas this film just, well, doesn't. It's a shame, too, because I loved parts of it.

I don't think the characters were douchebags, unless you're referencing some of the dialog they had. Marty mentioned that Curt was acting differently once they got to the Cabin, but that was due to the chemicals the company introduced to the air.

And I thought the title sequence was awesome too!

[Balphon]

I don't think the characters were douchebags, unless you're referencing some of the dialog they had. Marty mentioned that Curt was acting differently once they got to the Cabin, but that was due to the chemicals the company introduced to the air. And I thought the title sequence was awesome too!

Marty literally ended the world because he wanted to live an extra 8 minutes. If that doesn't make him a tool, I don't know what does. Hell, the first thing you see him do is commit a DUI. When he was playing hero in the third act I kept hoping something would rip his smug, author-avatar head right off.

Though I suppose the other main characters aren't douchey so much as they're uninteresting.

As for the title sequence, I liked it too. Though it gave me the weird feeling that I was watching a deleted scene from an episode of The West Wing.

[big ander]

If the sacrifices have to be the whore, jock, intellect, virgin and fool How does that play out in the Japan scenario?

They'd just use the, "We work with what we have," copout. Don't go looking for plot holes, as this film is much more wholly focused on providing an allegorical satire than the porous nature of its plot.

No, this is not a copout or a plothole. This is something they explain outright in the film. each culture has different rituals.

[echoshifting]

Marty literally ended the world because he wanted to live an extra 8 minutes. If that doesn't make him a tool, I don't know what does. Hell, the first thing you see him do is commit a DUI. When he was playing hero in the third act I kept hoping something would rip his smug, author-avatar head right off.

He didn't "end the world," he upset the established order. Is a world that sacrifices its youth in horrible, agonizing rituals worth saving, really? Marty doesn't believe it is. I think it's a brave choice...a bit braver for her than for him since she could still kill him and fix things...HE knows he's going to die either way. She makes the choice to die with him. Earlier, he tells her she will come to see things his way, and in her final moments, she does.

No argument on the DUI thing, of course.

Though I suppose the other main characters aren't douchey so much as they're uninteresting.

There's a reason for this though. The characters fall into the archetypes thanks to chemical manipulation, some earlier than others. They're meant to evoke memories of countless characters just like these you have seen in horror film.

As for the title sequence, I liked it too. Though it gave me the weird feeling that I was watching a deleted scene from an episode of The West Wing.

Ha, yeah I can see that.

[Balphon]

He didn't "end the world," he upset the established order. Is a world that sacrifices its youth in horrible, agonizing rituals worth saving, really? Marty doesn't believe it is. I think it's a brave choice...a bit braver for her than for him since she could still kill him and fix things...HE knows he's going to die either way. She makes the choice to die with him. Earlier, he tells her she will come to see things his way, and in her final moments, she does. No argument on the DUI thing, of course.

I understood his reasoning the same way you did, but it all comes off as more than a bit facile and nihilistic. Of course such a world is worth saving. There's more than enough good in the world. Just because some bad hit happened to you doesn't mean tE entire human race is beyond salvation.

And even then, it all rings a bit hollow coming from a person who is so hedonistic and adamantly against the concept of self-sacrifice. It's hardly brave to refuse to put other's interests above one's own. In fact, if the world is such a bad place, it's because it has people like him in it.

There's a reason for this though. The characters fall into the archetypes thanks to chemical manipulation, some earlier than others. They're meant to evoke memories of countless characters just like these you have seen in horror film.

I understand that it helps the satire, but that's a bit of a copout, don't you think? Characters can fit into archetypes without being dull.

[echoshifting]

I understood his reasoning the same way you did, but it all comes off as more than a bit facile and nihilistic. Of course such a world is worth saving. There's more than enough good in the world. Just because some bad hit happened to you doesn't mean tE entire human race is beyond salvation. And even then, it all rings a bit hollow coming from a person who is so hedonistic and adamantly against the concept of self-sacrifice. It's hardly brave to refuse to put other's interests above one's own. In fact, if the world is such a bad place, it's because it has people like him in it.

When I was that age, I flirted with nihilism...I don't think it's that uncommon to hold such views towards the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood. At face value it comes across a bit dickish, I'll grant you, and if that's as far as you want to explore it, then cool. It's a bit more thought provoking if you consider the choice within the context of the overall satire.

Is an audience that demands carnage and boobs at the expense of all else worth serving, even if strong box office is keeping your kids in a good school? Are executives who sneer and applaud at whatever exploitative grotesqueries you can conjure worth artistic compromise, even if they're putting bread on your table? Can art actually find a place in a form so mired in trope and archetypal characterization? Cabin is arguing that the answer to all of these questions is no...new and different can be scary, so scary that it can seem foolhardy. Self-professed experts will line up to tell you just how foolhardy it is, even if they actually have no idea what that change will bring. If the artist knows, deep down, that his vision has been compromised by this system, Cabin argues that he should trust his instincts.

(Feel free to skip this next paragraph if you'd rather stick to discussing genre satire)

Honestly, though, I think you could have a much more in-depth conversation about the question in the real-world context you describe, if you can distance yourself enough from the literal events of the movie and apply what Marty is saying to the world around us. We have built a society that is constantly showing its willingness to sacrifice the future of the young for the comfort of the old. Those who run that game are always warning us of the horrible things that will happen if we truly invest in the future - our infrastructure, our international policies, education, and so on. We just can't afford it, right? Bullshit. It's not true just because they say it is. You have to critically examine it, gather evidence, and decide whether or not what you've been told of the "wrath of the ancient ones" is true.

I understand that it helps the satire, but that's a bit of a copout, don't you think? Characters can fit into archetypes without being dull.

Copout, copout, copout. I'm getting a bit tired of that word popping up in this thread >.<

I can see why you feel the way you do, but I think they were trying to make a point about how predictable those archetypes have become, and I feel it was well executed. That isn't a copout. A copout is, "you just didn't get it!" That's not what I said.

[See You Next Wednesday]

You know, a sequel continuing on from what happened after the ending would be cool.
Giant 800 foot ancient God monsters vs the advanced worlds military
I'm pretty sure a nuke or a AC-130 would be able to take one down. Even the [spoiler]force-field[spoiler], which would have been overkill for just the kids & even the zombies, might have been specifically for them.

[Balphon]

When I was that age, I flirted with nihilism...I don't think it's that uncommon to hold such views towards the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood. At face value it comes across a bit dickish, I'll grant you, and if that's as far as you want to explore it, then cool. It's a bit more thought provoking if you consider the choice within the context of the overall satire. Is an audience that demands carnage and boobs at the expense of all else worth serving, even if strong box office is keeping your kids in a good school? Are executives who sneer and applaud at whatever exploitative grotesqueries you can conjure worth artistic compromise, even if they're putting bread on your table? Can art actually find a place in a form so mired in trope and archetypal characterization? Cabin is arguing that the answer to all of these questions is no...new and different can be scary, so scary that it can seem foolhardy. Self-professed experts will line up to tell you just how foolhardy it is, even if they actually have no idea what that change will bring. If the artist knows, deep down, that his vision has been compromised by this system, Cabin argues that he should trust his instincts.

I pretty much agree with all this. Don't get me wrong; I liked the film overall. I think it's really well done and quite interesting as a satire of horror films and/or an allegory for the production of a high-profile, big-budget horror film (or any mass-market film, really) in the present day. My problem comes when trying to appreciate Cabin in the Woods as a narrative without delving into its rather high-concept metafictional aspects. Despite the promise of its core idea, the film really doesn't do much to deliver when it comes to characterization or plot. And it really didn't need to sacrifice either of those things to achieve its thematic goals.

Put more simply, I'm not upset that the movie was bad. It wasn't. I'm upset it wasn't better.

(Feel free to skip this next paragraph if you'd rather stick to discussing genre satire) Honestly, though, I think you could have a much more in-depth conversation about the question in the real-world context you describe, if you can distance yourself enough from the literal events of the movie and apply what Marty is saying to the world around us. We have built a society that is constantly showing its willingness to sacrifice the future of the young for the comfort of the old. Those who run that game are always warning us of the horrible things that will happen if we truly invest in the future - our infrastructure, our international policies, education, and so on. We just can't afford it, right? Bullshit. It's not true just because they say it is. You have to critically examine it, gather evidence, and decide whether or not what you've been told of the "wrath of the ancient ones" is true.

I honestly hadn't really thought about the film in this way. It's an interesting take, to say the least. However, I think you may have chosen the absolute worst champion possible in Marty. He genuinely is all the things the "older generation" tend to stereotype and malign the young for being: shiftless, selfish, immature, and completely unwilling to make personal sacrifices. Or, more to the point, he's the guy with the "fuck you, got mine" attitude who will be gleefully sponging off the young forty years from now, since at the end of the film he's more than willing to sacrifice anybody he needs to in order to create a scenario that's most advantageous to him. So, really, he doesn't really appear to want to change the paradigm as much as improve his standing within it.

Copout, copout, copout. I'm getting a bit tired of that word popping up in this thread >. I can see why you feel the way you do, but I think they were trying to make a point about how predictable those archetypes have become, and I feel it was well executed. That isn't a copout. A copout is, "you just didn't get it!" That's not what I said.

Ha, fair enough. I get your point, and we'll have to agree to disagree, but I really think Whedon and Goddard are talented enough writers that they could've made the old five man band simultaneously recognizable as horror movie archetypes and actual characters with at least some depth and likability. As it stands, and admittedly apart from Marty who I'll admit was fairly well-realized, most of the rest of the cast could have spent their time reading old sides from Buffy for all that it mattered.

Look at it this way. I think we've had a pretty interesting discussion of the Marty character and his nature and motivations. But could we do the same for any other character in the film? Probably not, and it really didn't need to be that way.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

ya know, after seeing the high ass rottentomatoes rating I was expecting a bit more from this movie. Maybe what took some of the bite out for me was Hunger Games, with the whole people behind the scenes manipulating shit.

I don't get comparisons like these. They are not in the same genre, and with that attitude, you'd hate Billy Madison because Caddyshack had golf in it, too. Not saying you specifically.

"Best horror movie in years" is like the skinniest kid at Fat Camp at this point, nowhere near enough to challenge 28 Days Later or The Shining IMO.

It's not trying to challenge any film. The film would agree with you, too, that The Best has simply become "this is sad if this is really The Best".

You know, a sequel continuing on from what happened after the ending would be cool. Giant 800 foot ancient God monsters vs the advanced worlds military

I have no idea why people think this would be in any way the same category as this film, unless of course, you took it at face value.

Going from a dark comedy with a message to a plain old action horror film is an odd concept.

There's nothing left to say by the film's end. It's made its point.

Why would going from a message movie to the thing that it was against work at all?

[echoshifting]

Look at it this way. I think we've had a pretty interesting discussion of the Marty character and his nature and motivations. But could we do the same for any other character in the film? Probably not, and it really didn't need to be that way.

I am coming to see things your way...

...and I'm only half joking. Good discussion! Upset the established order of gaf movie threads!

[Neuromancer]

So Balphon, at the end of the movie you weren't rooting for the Marty and the girl? Because I totally was.

Also I don't know if I'd have believed the director when she said unleashing the gods would result in the agonizing death of every human being on the planet. The whole aim of the ritual could have been more about maintaining the status quo than anything else.

[echoshifting]

So Balphon, at the end of the movie you weren't rooting for the Marty and the girl? Because I totally was. Also I don't know if I'd have believed the director when she said unleashing the gods would result in the agonizing death of every human being on the planet. The whole aim of the ritual could have been more about maintaining the status quo than anything else.

That was my impression as well. Stank of bullshit from word one.