Reviews
My Bloody Valentine 3D
Reviewed by: Ryan Rotten
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Movie Details: View here
Cast:
Jensen Ackles as Tom Hanniger
Jaime King as Sarah Palmer
Kerr Smith as Axel Palmer
Edi Gathegi as Deputy Martin
Kevin Tighe as Ben Foley
Tom Atkins as Burke
Megan Boone as Megan
Betsy Rue as Irene
Directed by Patrick Lussier
Review:
In 1981 a Canadian-produced slasher clone directed by George Mihalka hit U.S. theaters and, truth be told, it didn't have any right to be as enjoyable as it was. But, with its warm characterizations, distinctive locale (the overcast environs of Sidney Mines, Nova Scotia) and memorable killer dressed to the nines in miner's gear, My Bloody Valentine surpassed the expectations of those who thought it would be a massacre akin to Friday the 13th. Instead, for a copycat, it was pretty darn good and would be held by many (including this writer) as one of the best of its kind even if the film's maniac known as Harry Warden wasn't as readily embraced by the mass public like Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger were. My Bloody Valentine 3D may change all of that. Again, a film with plenty stacked against it just on the principal that it was a remake. Yet, its merits are myriad. Director Patrick Lussier demonstrates growth as a director (he's come a long way since Dracula 2000 and its sequels) and earns kudos for not just bringing one helluva party favor to this bash - the 3-D aspect - but utilizing it to such an immersive degree that it will have you screaming bloody murder.
Updated in a post-Scream decade, My Bloody Valentine 3D turns back the clock with pure intentions and a reverent approach to the 1980s films Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson set out to deconstruct in the '90s. And it does so with newcomer Zane Smith and Todd Farmer (Jason X)'s mildly flawed but durable screenplay that does right by setting up all of the red herrings, keeping the body count high, the kill set pieces evenly distributed and the mystery engaging. They kick the story off with what is, at its core, an abridged version of Mihalka's film.
Newspaper headlines catch the viewer up on a mining accident that has occurred in the town of Harmony. Negligence on a young Tom Hanniger's (Ackles) part causes a tunnel in his family's mine to collapse and strand a number of workers. When rescue crews move in, they discover all but one miner, Harry Warden, is left alive. Blame for the deaths shifts from Hanniger to Warden when officials learn the latter killed his colleagues to stay alive. Under hospital treatment, Warden later slays the staff and escapes to the mines to pick off a group of teens partying there. The police, including Sheriff Burke (Atkins), intervene and, after bullets fly, Warden is presumed to be dead. And that's just the first ten minutes or so of the film! In this time, Lussier fires on all cylinders treating us to a growling Tom Atkins ("Happy f**kin' Valentine's Day.") and amazing 3-D picture depth that enhances the claustrophobia of the mines and serves as a visual steroids for Gary Tunnicliffe's outrageous gore gags. The thing you're asked to accept is Ackles, Kerr Smith and Jaime King all playing younger versions of themselves in "hipper" clothes - Ackles sporting a cap - to "age down."
This is all done because the story then skips ahead ten years. Axel Palmer (Smith) is now sheriff, Sarah (King) is his wife and Hanniger has returned home after his father's death to relinquish the family mine much to the chagrin of Harmony's residents. His appearance in the town comes at a precarious time as the press is recognizing Harmony's ten year anniversary of Valentine's Day massacre. It doesn't help matters when bodies start to drop, hearts show up in Valentine's gift boxes and talk of Harry Warden's return begins. Here, writers Smith and Farmer really amp up the whodunit elements of the plot. Even if you've seen the original, the ambiguity successfully keeps one slightly off kilter until the big reveal. And much like Mihalka's picture, MBV3D is sprinkled with a healthy dose of friction via a budding love triangle with Axel, Sarah and Hanniger. Just keep your expectations in check, this isn't Shakespeare and the drama can get a tad strained.
King and Smith both meet the needs of their roles; Smith especially relishes the various shades and desires of Axel Palmer, even though he still looks young for a sheriff. It's Ackles who truly needed to step up to the plate and make Supernatural fans of four seasons forget he's Dean Winchester for about 90 minutes. He displays restraint and a modicum of vulnerability, but the Winchester in him does come through at times. Hats off to Lussier, again, for re-introducing audiences to Tom Atkins and giving actor Kevin Tighe (who stars in one of my favorite Tales from the Crypt episodes) plenty of face time.
To be fair, without insulting the aforementioned acting talent, many movie-goers will be entering the theater to get their rocks off on the 3-D and kills. And to say both deliver is an understatement. The former does not completely succumb to the hokey gags we're accustomed to when seeing films like Friday the 13th: Part 3, Amityville 3-D or Jaws 3-D. Instead, it concentrates on luring you into the environment...and then giving you a good jolt when Harry Warden's pick-axe finds its destination and you find yourself dodging body parts. The only downside is the photography, a challenge on a picture like this. At times it looks too "video" and the viewer may find trouble focusing during moments of intense lighting contrast - such as a sequence set in a grocery store where the overhead fluorescents are off, but the display lights from the freezer aisle are left on. Still, as far as MBV3D's suspense goes, Lussier takes an anything goes approach embracing a merciless edge to Warden's antics that works in his favor. It should be noted, however, that he owes a good deal of thanks to The Exorcist III and the original MBV for two of the most memorable bits in his film.
So, the question remains: Does My Bloody Valentine 3D work sans the 3-D? I'd say yes. Without the technology, it stands as one of the more interesting remakes to come out of the last five years. Still, the 3-D assistance enhances the experience and is the recommended viewing preference.
Welcome back, Harry Warden. I tip my Moosehead beer to you.
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Comments
Posted by: Feenix on January 13, 2009 at 03:23:27
God, I hope this is in 3-D around here.
Posted by: Andy on January 13, 2009 at 04:27:29
Feenix, & to anyone else unsure of if a 3D theater is near you:
I mentioned this on my podcast (www.destroythebrainonline.com). You can go to the MBV3D website (www.mybloodyvalentinein3d.com) to find out.
Here is a direct link: http://mybloodyvalentinein3d.com/google/index.html
Just plug in your zip code and find out!
Posted by: jjs on January 13, 2009 at 06:17:41
don't get me wrong. i learned all the latin names of sharks in youth. although i hoped for a compressed diamond of a kill factor in this one, i am anxiously awaiting the 3d. i didn't see mirrors, but i heard that it sucked. that said, i'll see pretty much any new horror film in the theater. i guess i'll watch it after i drink like two hundred beers and unload my housemate's gun.
PEACE.
Posted by: BruceL on January 13, 2009 at 07:46:32
"So, the question remains: Does My Bloody Valentine 3D sans the 3-D?"
What does that mean, exactly?
Anyway, great review. Haven't read any of your stuff since old CHUD/MI days, and it's clear you are still a great writer. Will be back.
Posted by: francesco on January 13, 2009 at 09:54:53
i hope it could be a great movie on 2-D too. here in Italy there are only 4 theatears that play movies on 3-D. that sucks!
Posted by: Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor on January 13, 2009 at 11:01:04
Ah, hell... Thanks for picking out that glaring error, Bruce. Fixed. And thanks! Hope you definitely return!
Posted by: Doctor Splatten on January 13, 2009 at 13:48:01
It sounds to me (from all I've read so far)that watching the MY BLOODY VALENTINE remake sans 3D is like watching ROCKY HORROR at home. I'm definitely checking this out Saturday! Thanks, Ryan.
Posted by: BoggyCreekBeast on January 13, 2009 at 14:20:11
Figured it would be playing in 3D at the theater by my place, but it's nice to confirm that before the weekend.
Posted by: Ace on January 13, 2009 at 14:25:38
@BruceL
"Sans" means "without" in french.
So basically the question would be "So, the question remains: Does My Bloody Valentine 3D work without the 3-D?"
Posted by: Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor on January 13, 2009 at 14:33:20
Ace, I had left word out of the sentence. That's what Bruce was noting, not the definition of "sans." I've since then fixed the error.
Posted by: Josiah on January 13, 2009 at 23:40:37
Ace, I had left word out of the sentence.
Ryan, you left a word out of that sentence as well. "A" is probably the word you meant.
Just giving you crap. Nice review.
Posted by: Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor on January 13, 2009 at 23:52:57
What the--? Can I fault a broken keyboard like the author in "Misery" who had to pencil in letters?
It's been a helluva day.
Posted by: djblack1313 on January 14, 2009 at 09:44:56
i just can't wait to see this!!!! and i'm really interested to find out what EXORCIST III moment you're referring to (Exorcist III being one of my favorite movies!). only 2 more days to go!!
Posted by: Jordan on January 19, 2009 at 12:48:23
My Bloody Valentine sucked. The only good part about it was the 3-D.
Posted by: summer_nights on January 21, 2009 at 08:31:28
Saw this movie last night and was very pleased with it... Although I thought of a different ending for it and was sad when it didn't play out as I'd hoped. Never the less, I enjoyed it and the 3D effect on the entire movie was interesting (and a first for me). Check it out
Posted by: Derek on January 23, 2009 at 13:55:40
I live in a dumb fricken town where all my theatres decide "Eh, lets put it out in 2-D", cheap arses. I'm either left with traveling a good hour to see it (which I don't know is worth it) or waiting for the stupid 3-D dvd. I want to experience it on the big screen and not a 32in, so idk. I can't imagine the 3-D sucking because my kid brother has Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D and even that had its moments.
Posted by: angie on January 23, 2009 at 19:22:36
My boyfriend and I saw it in 3-D and it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Blood and body parts flying everywhere definitly made it worth the price we paid to see it in 3-D.
Posted by: Scott on January 24, 2009 at 15:35:37
Great movie, but ONLY because of the 3D factor. I went on a ride called Spongebob In 3D at Six Flags and it was good fun! This movie's pretty much a nonsensical thrill ride. Without the 3D on the other hand, it would be total ****.
Posted by: Don of the Dead on January 26, 2009 at 22:31:18
This movie was the biggest steaming pile of crap I've had the displeasure of wasting $12.00 on.
The original is a fantastic film. This pile of 3D crap was horrid, CGI blood, crappy acting, crappy plot and to change the classic ending and change the killer?
The only thing worse than crap, is crap coming at your face.
Posted by: Sentinel on February 2, 2009 at 21:04:36
I just went to see it myself in theaters not 3 hours ago. In the end, I find myself agreeing with Don of the Dead; though not so...enthusiastic about his distaste. How did the old guy in the hospital even know it was harry to begin with? Did he check the patient list beforehand and go 'its definitely him'? Even disregarding sudden, unexplained epiphanies that popped up everywhere, I was more concerned about just how quickly people got everywhere. How did the killer miner get to the window of the market in 5 seconds flat? Not to mention, carve up and make artwork on the wall by the time Axel and Sarah showed up?
All in all, there were too many plot holes, too many super-fast people, too much fake blood AND CG'd flying body parts and not to mention, the hordes of corny lines. "if you dont find him...he will find you!"
So not worth the 12 bucks. But the 3D flashlight in your face was kinda awesome.
Posted by: richard cavellero on February 3, 2009 at 17:58:28
this is movie was so much fun.
Posted by: nrcpn on February 22, 2009 at 17:09:24
pfff...the whole 3D stuff might be fun, but the movie itself was just crap..
It does not deserve 7.5 out of ten
I'd give it a 3/10
Posted by: JC on August 5, 2009 at 20:31:24
Hey guys, the director was headed in the right direction. Although it's a remake, he simply got the stroy-line all wrong. The 3-D version was cool, but don't ruin a classic like this. I was there when the original hit the screen. When watching the movie I already knew who the real killer was, "Axel Palmer", at least I thought it was in 3-D. This is where I totally dis-own this movie; when "Tom Hanniger" is seen as the killer, it threw me for a loop becasue the original has him as the present day hero who had returned home to run the family business not sale it off. Thumbs down! I keep the original in my inventory...it's a much better story line because you had no idea who the killer was until the very end..."Axel Palmer"; and Sarah were only dating. Sarah never knew why Tom left, so she had moved on with her life, but old feels rekindled when he returned home. The Director for 3-D sucks!
Posted by: kaicooper on August 22, 2009 at 13:28:52
i watched this movie on 3D and simple
the 3D was really awesom but the simple 1 was
ok and not that much
Posted by: andrew on September 7, 2009 at 01:18:16
I liked the movie it was funny at times the chatacters were real the 3D was so cool the best 3D movie and the gore in the flim was a little out there but it was still good.
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