Wrong Turn is one of those movies I think people are going to love or hate. It’s certainly not for those inclined towards a weak stomach.
It is a blood and guts horror flick which pays due homage to iconic movies like Deliverance and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Prepare for both your stomach and your eyes to roll, as the movie is three parts disgusting and one part corny and one part bad acting.
Sisto was initially what drew me to rent the film, although I’m a huge horror buff. I didn’t want to see this because of the combination of poor reviews and my dislike of Harrington and Chriqui. I also felt that I couldn’t sit through a movie that would fall flat or try to be something it wasn’t (as it was clear the movie takes cues from the aforementioned horror classics). But in the end, it was only 80 some minutes long and so I figured I could sit through it even if it was garbage.
I ended up being a little surprised. It’s not nearly one of the best horror movies I’ve seen, but it does what it’s supposed to do, and it doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It was a nail biter. It was riveting. It was disgusting. But best of all, it moved the whole time, and so I was never bored. It’s one of those movies you can pop in when you want to pass the time and be entertained.
The story itself is not original. A group of young people get lost in the scary woods and are killed off one by one by some crazy ass, inbred, ugly mofo mountain people. Original? Hardly. Predictable. Hell yes. But for some reason, still quite entertaining.
I’ve only watched two or three horror films in which the positives outweigh the negatives, and Wrong Turn is no exception to my general rule.
First, there’s the awful and wooden acting of Desmond Harrington. If this movie wasn’t a sign that the man should do something else with his life, I don’t know what is. Let’s face it, pretty doesn’t always equal talented.
Then there’s Eliza Dushku, who, I swear, is prettier with each movie she does, who really put in a weak performance. I have liked everything she’s been in except this, and I blame it mostly on her interaction with Harrington. Which may have slightly colored my opinion.
Chriqui did not fail to piss me off. I don’t know if it’s her acting or the character, but Carly should have died before the opening credits.
Then there were the inbred mountain men (kudos to Stan Winston for his talent). I felt that with all the work that was put into the visuals, they could have shown them more. Oh well.
I wanted more back-story. Why did they do what they did? You don’t just end up living in the woods with your ugly brothers and kill people for dinner. You just DON’T. An explanation was necessary, at least for me.
Another annoyance? Too little Sisto. How do they kill off Scott but let Chris Flynn live on…and on…and on. Just to torment me, I’m sure. Oh and WHY would they pair off Scott with the most annoying character in the movie? Torture, I tell ya.
The positives? Sisto in shorts. Yes, this was a bright spot, and yes, it’s also incredibly shallow, so sue me. The opening credits made my blood run cold. Oh and…I loved it when Carly died.
Definitely rent this. After I rented it the first time, I ended up renting it again, and now I own it. I pull it out every Halloween to show my unsuspecting and easily frightened friends.
