Red Mist (18)
Verdict: Mist opportunity *
LOW-budget UK horror films? I'm all for them. But dressing up a low-budget UK horror film with American actors and a fake American setting, so it looks like any other piece of US production line tosh?
I don't see the point. And that's where Red Mist goes horribly wrong.
It was written by a Northern Irish writer. Directed by a man from Dublin. Shot in Belfast. And part-funded by Northern Ireland Screen.
Surely it would be better to set the blessed thing in a realistic-looking Ireland, rather than a phony-looking USA?
Paddy Breathnach (whose last film was drug chiller Shrooms) directs this tale of a weirdo in a coma (Andrew Lee Potts from Primeval, faking a Yank accent with limited success) who causes death and havoc using the power of his mind. Arielle Kebbel, of recent horror remakes The Grudge 2 and The Uninvited, plays the do-good medical student who's desperate to save his life and ends up becoming a pawn in his deadly game (snore).
There's a sad reliance on horror clichés throughout.
Example: Even though the entire film's set in a hospital, Arielle briefly gets kidnapped for the sole purpose of setting up a shot where she runs through a forest in her bra and kecks.
You've seen this all before, and you've seen it done better.
OUT FRIDAY
This article has 2 comments
As another horror fan I must say I agree completly with Gary Hughes, there are some original ideas and it certainly kept me much more entertained than some recent big budget hollywood horrors.
The acid funnel scene - loved it! very gruesome!
By anon. Posted September 29 2009 at 9:54 PM.
I’m surprised by Robbie’s attitude to the film. Most viewers will care less how and where it was made so long as what ends up on screen is entertaining.
And Red Mist for a straight to dvd, horror flick manages to pack a punch. The movie looks well with a dark, pallet used to full effect to create atmosphere. As well as the requisite brutal deaths (Funnel – Acid … I’ll say no more YUK!) there is also a thoroughly engaging turn by lead actress Arielle Kebbel. I’m a fan and can say this is her best role to date. Her character is a cut above the usual horror heroines. Yes, there are some cliché moments and a few off the peg characters but this won’t dampen the enjoyment for any hardened horror fans. The story introduces a supernatural element to a contemporary environment via a series of events and twists all of which added up to an interesting 90 minutes.
One of the stand out moments in the film IS the scene in the forest, a moment which anyone who truly engaged with the film would recognize as much more than a cheap thrill.
“You've seen this all before, and you've seen it done better.” That’s Robbie’s opinion to which he’s entitled. Here’s mine “You’ve also seen bigger budget films do a lot less a whole hell of a lot worse!”
If you like your horror films, as I do, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Red Mist. Missed Opportunity?? … I think Robbie Missed the Point.
A solid 3 out of 5 stars
By Gary Hughes. Posted June 30 2009 at 1:00 PM.