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Its a shame this movie bombed in theatres, because its one of the best slasher flicks ever.
The concept is brilliant and original.
As with most horror flicks, there are a few moments that require the viewer to suspend belief, but not enough to take anything away from this terror staple. If this were to be the foundation stone to a larger franchise, i would be a hardcore fan through and through.
This movie actually made me feel light headed after watching it, a feeling I haven't had since I was in 7th grade, though there were a few rough patches it gave us a new icon, something that hasn't happened in a long time and was way passed due. Great job Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, and keep 'em coming.
Posted By: chattiemae at 3:13pm, September 23, 2009
A little disappointed. Over the top gore and mutilation. Did like the main character and his
interaction with the little girl. Didn't like the ending and will not go watch a Collector II!
Damn good... intensity, clever, and a good twist to boot... what more could you ask for
Posted By: horrorfan25 at 11:16am, September 3, 2009
The collector was a captivating experience for me, but the lack of emotion provoked in the film is what makes the film earn an average score. It might be bloated with gratuitous carnage, but it's hollow with characters or any emotion, feeling. I admire the intelligence in the director trying to be devoid of the typical cliches and tackling on a fresh concept, but sometimes it takes more than originality to make a good film. Not terrible by any means, but certainly not something to write home about.
Ok let me start off by saying I did not hate this movie. That being said I did not enjoy it either. I liked the main character and the little girl. The teenager was to cliche for me to care about her much. I hated the ending. They are becoming cliche.
Ok this wasnt as good as i was expecting it but it was still pretty good.
This movie actually did have some good character development and you actually care for the characters in this movie.
The collector was a creepy villain and was extremely fun to watch kill and there were bucket loads of gore, possibly one of the goriest movies in awhile...
the acting in this movie was great and just helped make the story more believable
the only problem i had with this movie was that i wished a girl was the main character because a horror movie doesn't affect me as much if a girl isnt the main character or has a big part in it.
this was a excellent film and i will definaitely be hoping there is a sequel and if done right could possibly become the next saw franchise...
I really liked The Collector quite a bit, while no it wasn't quite perfect it was really headed in the right direction.
I thought the gore was well done and you even felt for the main character.
It was imaginative and innovative and really made me feel like I was watching more then torture porn.
The soundtrack was phenomenal and worked well with the movie, they didn't seem like two seperate entities. This movie is a must see/must buy for any true slasher film fan.
As I sat through this movie I really enjoyed the intensity of it. There were few moments during the film that I felt as though the character was "safe" and I could relax for him.
The only part of this movie that truly disappointed me was the lack of plot. This guy collects people but why? *SPOILER* The guy who was collected from the opening scene who falls out of the box says that he was the bait. But why was it necessary to have bait when the house was already rigged against any possible escape?
The fact that we didn't know anything about The Collector and his motives make him all the more terrifying, and definitely takes away the feeling of being safe in your own home. This film could go either way. I was content with the ending, but if they do decide to do a prequel or sequel I hope they explain who the villain is and why he is the way he is.
I dug this movie, but still felt a bit empty. A new horror icon is definitely not born. It really isn't ground breaking. There really isn't a point to this guy collecting anyone, in fact, this movie would be better if he wasn't collecting anyone. Since he is collecting people, you know that there is someone/something higher than him and that he is just a foot soldier. This sort of kills the terror of the collector himself.
The booby trapping, while cool, is stupidly unnecessary for our collector.
I really liked the cast in this movie and loved the collector's get-up and mask.
This movie was entertaining, but nothing to talk about at the watering hole either. I won't buy this on DVD when it comes out. There isn't replay value, and it just isn't that impressive.
An better than expected, thrilling and tense brutal/thriller that had the feeling of unease and dread throughout, it definitely has one bad@ss killer and puts all the Saw films to shame, well maybe not the 3rd one. The acting wasn't the best at all nor had likable characters yet that little blonde girl definitely was the most likable and better actress to be honest. It succeeds in atmosphere, set up and design and you got to hand it to them for the impressive deadly traps that makes Saw look like Home Alone, nicely done! I think they should forget about the overrated Saw franchise and bury it for good and focus on making this a trilogy or something because I think they have something pretty good on their hands, be smart and continue with this! I will have to agree with some horror critics and say A NEW HORROR ICON IS BORN! Overall I ended up liking this underrated thriller which also has a pretty good soundtrack by the way and they definitely knew their audience which was purely gorehounds! FORGET SAW THIS YEAR AND SUPPORT THE COLLECTOR BECAUSE IT SURPASSES ALL OF THEM! Recommended!
Posted By: xXFacelessXx at 2:16am, August 16, 2009
Now normally this is a rarity for me especially when it comes down to a movie like this. I have heard some pretty bad things about this movie (mainly from the girls I know), and rarely some good, but I was curious myself to see this movie since I heard about it's release. Not very surprising here in Utah, but the theatres close by weren't playing this movie, I thought to myself, "If this movie isn't being played in Utah, then it must be one hell of a movie!" So I got a text from one of my close friends and she said that there was a theatre down south from where I live that was playing it...little did I know this theatre was over an hour away, but eventually I managed to get a ride down there, and this movie didn't disappoint. Even straight from the beginning, the opening sequence with the creepy soundtrack, which was very amazing and spooky throughout, impressed me. This movie started just like any old one, introducing the characters and the whole reason for what was about to go down but what I liked about it was that it didn't extend it's welcome. It got right to the point and got right into the action. This movie was heart racing and was very intense throughout. I figured the whole "traps" word meant that some SAW elements were going to be put into this but it's far from what I thought. The traps were new, refeshing, rigged to kill, not torture, the eyes of the killer were way cool and the acting was superb but there really isn't much I can say about the killer except the fight scene was fast paced on one of the few enjoyable ones. To put it simple, the cinematography was amazing. The camera angles as well are a big mention, it made it very interesting and fun to look at. (To wrap this up quick) The ending was exactly how it should be, not a happy one, and for those who haven't seen it this might be a SPOILER but the ending stayed true to the tag line, no matter what, he always takes one. For me to be giving this rating is very rare so this must mean this was a damn good movie.
I wanted this to be amazing. Instead, I just thought it was mediocre. Some of the effects were good and The Collector himself was a great character (silent, cold, methodical), but other than that, I wasn't blown away.
This movie, in my opinion, is fucking great. I can't wait until the sequel. I just hope that they get a little more inside the story of the killer, like how long he's been at his "collecting", and whether or not he's even human. But, all in all, it is a great movie and a great beginning of a new franchise if there is to be one.
I am lukewarm about this movie, it is in equal measure refreshingly genius and a derivative turd. A lot of attention is given to comparisons with SAW, it has very little in common with SAW. It comes across more like a sadistic HOME ALONE and PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS. The booby traps are viscious homemade contraptions as designed by a psychopath hellbent on maiming and killing with very little MO. I appreciate slasher films with no exposition given to the killer; a villian that shows up, kills and leaves. At its best, it is a taut claustrophobic cat and mouse haunted house thriller. At its worse it tries too hard for flashy stylization and comes across like a cheap student film. The first act is horribly trite; for me the movie doesn't start until Arkin enters the house for his heist -- followed by a solid 20 minute sequence of brilliant tension.
I Went Into This Movie Honestly Not Really Knowing ANYTHING About It. I Only Saw One Trailer For It And Just Thought "Wow,I Don't Know What The Hell Just Happened...But It Looks Amazing!!". So I Went And Saw It With My Mom & My Best Friend. And I Have To Say It Was A REALLY Good Thing We Were The Only Ones In That Theater Because We Spent Most Of The Time Screaming/Covering Our Eyes/Yelling At The Characters/Complimenting The Killer On His Creativeness. haha(we're sorta morbid)
By The End Of It I Realized That This Is The Most Amazing Horror Movie I've Seen In A LONG Time. I Was SO Glad It Wasn't Like Other So Called "Horror" Films That Were Really Just "Slashers". This Was Real Horror To Me. And I Thought It Was EXTREMELY Better Than The Saw Movies,Too.
All In All I Think This Movie Was AMAZING,The Uniqueness Of The Kills Were Great!
The Only Thing I Was Skeptical About Was How The Killer Could Have Possibly Set Up ALL Thoes Traps In The Amount of Time He Had.
But Other Than That I Give This Movie A 10/10.
I am usually really upset when i get all excited about a movie and their isn't enough gore and violence. I was nervous when I told people I was seeing it and no one had heard of it. When we got to the theater and it was just me and my friend the whole time. I absolutely loved it! The beginning reminded me of a Nine Inch Nails video...so it starts with a BANG! I love gore and this had a decent amount of it. I really enjoyed how it was realistic...because a real serial killer doesn't care about feelings, children and animals he will kill them all...I loved this movie .
Horror movies these days are so weak, they're almost not worth seeing. So when i walked into the theater, in the back of my mind i was thinking "writers of saw. writers of saw. please don't be bad."
OH MY FREAKING GOD!
It was good.
i haven't squirmed in my seat during a movie in so long (besides the saw movies) and I was squirming so much in this movie it was like a workout. It was so gory, and brutal, and intense, and suspenseful, and everything a horro fan loves! Also, I have NEVER covered my eyes during a scary movie. In this one, I did. It was so creepy. and the Villian scared me. I was afraid to go home because of this movie. Horror movies never affect me like this one did.
With all these huge compliments, I'm not trying to make it sound like it was perfect because it wasn't.
It was pretty low-budget which WAS noticable, but they made the movie in a way that it didn't matter if the budget was $1,000. It was still very good.
Also, I would have liked them to explain more about the person and his motives and everything, but then again, it's scarier if you don't know anything about the person who invaded your home.
I have hardly any bad comments on this movie. It was just so creepy and scary and intense and everything... and most important- ORIGINAL!!!!!!!!! Every movie these days is based on a book or another movie.. ugh.
this was just so original and truly unique.
Definately go see this one!
Thought it was incredible! Blew me away!It was actually intense like the first three saw's.I do believe it could have been a prequel but this movie deserves to stand on its on! bring on part 2! Get out there horror fans so we can see more of The Collector!!! I would love to know his motive(s)!!!!!!!!!
I thought The Collector was a fun movie, it was suspensful and brutal. The Killer was great but his weapons were weak, and he set nmerous amounts of clever traps. Like the saw movies it has a ending that reveals things about the movie that maybe unclear, such as the mystery box.
The only thing going for this movie as that it Wasn't a remake. A complete knockoff of SAW that made less sense (oh, so there's an acid that burns shoes, cats, and books, but not the floor? to name one instance) it goes out of any logical path to give us a lame and unbelievable ending. I really hope there is no sequel because I did not like this movie at all and I don't see the appeal.
This was a brutal movie. The traps and kills were awesome, and the camera almost never looks away. If you took Inside and combined it with Saw you have the Collector. It comes highly recommended.
this was a good movie.an original slasher movie going to theaters thats not a remake is saying enough right there.the kills were cool but the whole movie felt recycled from sawish traps halloween chase scences.but overall fun to watch
Nothing groundbreaking but the premise of the "bad guy" becoming the "good guy" was cool and Arkin was a character you truly sympathized with almost from the get-go. I also thought the character of The Collector, while nothing mindnumbingly original, still looked great with his "all in black" look and the mask will be a new Halloween favorite this year...just watch.
I'd give it an 8 out of 10 for pure horror buffs while the general viewing public might think it has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Today I went and saw The Collector I would give this movie a 7 out of ten because it lacked original story line. It seemed to use a lot of different part like the hook seen from Saw 3, hanging body seen from saw 4, and chase seen from Halloween. The only difference from this movie and the Saw movies is that the writer for the movie directed the movie. To me this movie made no since to much left unanswered like when did the killer get the time to put all the pad lock on the doors, when did he get the time to board up all the windows, and when did he get the time to rig up the house with the traps. To me the gore was badly done all the killer used was throwing knifes. The other person used nothing even though he had a lot of weapons to choose from . I’m think this movie is a sad attempt at try to save the writers of the Saw movies just in case Saw VI doesn’t do good that way the can still make some money. This movie is just like Are You Scared and Are You Scared 2 to the Saw movies just a sad attempt to make some money and have a safety net just incase it doesn’t do while I’m glad Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate did not produce this movie it would have been a down grade of there horror franchise. The only reason I like this move was because it had gore, guts, nudity, and a good story line even thought it wasn’t original.
I thought it was awesome he definitly, without question, in my opinion in the big leagues with the elders of the horror genre..liked the way he showed no mercy n how well and unique the house was rigged brought something new to the table...yes in a way a little tobin bell, but still showed originality. Plus the story line was great showed how another villian could wind up being a hero or just trying to make it out alive to save his own family...overall a great movie..im not a film critict but i gave it ten
The Setup: A repairman working on a house out in the middle of nowhere decides to break in while the family's away to steal a jewel, so he can help his own family avoid trouble with loan sharks. Little does he know, "The Collector" has beat him to the punch... But he isn't there for some stupid Ruby...
The Review: I fucking love slasher movies. I grew up with them and I'll die with them. Yeah, yeah, most of them have the same plot and disposable characters, but every once in a while, you'll get something totally new and wonderful within the genre. Sadly, The Collector was neither. But before I get to that...
This film didn't have a huge budget and kinda crept into theaters out of nowhere, but that didn't stop it from delivering decent acting, sharp camera work and a lot of blood. Although I didn't think the gore was over-the-top (Freddy Vs. Jason, anyone?) it did have a heaping serving the red stuff, which is just the cherry on top for me. In fact, there was actually one scene that had me looking away, and that NEVER happens! So, kudos for that.
The setting was too typical and the characters made it all too clear, but the way the film was shot did give it a moody feel. The color work was pleasing on the eyes and really set the tone well. The CGI (Although not much) wasn't bad but I did find myself thinking, "FUCK, just use real bugs! They're cheaper anyway!" Thankfully, it wasn't too distracting.
As far as the acting goes, there was hits and misses. The more disappointing aspect wasn't so much the acting, But the decisions of the characters themselves. One major action stands out more than others, but I won't spoil it. Now, Back to when I said this film was neither new nor drop dead wonderful.
If you've seen a Saw film then you would most likely agree with me when I say that the idea isn't all that fresh. A bunch a films have been playing off the torture aspect of the genre for years now and so it's easy to fall into the "been there, seen that" category. The Collector is a little different in how it tends to feel more like a slasher as opposed to a (Forgive my use of this word) Torture-Porn entry. The use of the traps are really what held my interest. It isn't the "He forced me to..." machinery, like in the saw films, but more like booby traps, which I loved. For me, that was reason enough to like the movie, but if you're the type of person that could care less, then you may not feel the same.
Overall: Although not a breakthrough flick, it had enough goods to keep me wondering what exactly was going to happen. I say it all the time... You've gotta love horror for what it is and even though I didn't LOVE this movie, I did like it... and not just enough for a one time viewing.
'The Collector' is a waste of time and energy. Period.
There is an interesteing concept formulating here: "What happens when you walk into a horror movie scenario that's already in progress?" The film asks that question, then sidesteps it to show repeated shots of victims struggling, squirming, and (more often that not) trying to hold back their yelps of pain.
The Collector himself is a somewhat interesting creature, in appearance more than anything else. He looks as though he's blind and wears a sort of melted rubber/leather bondage mask. Considering his look, however, he brings with him very little menace, especially considering that he is constantly hidden in shadow. Sometimes this works (John Carpenter's Halloween), but here it feels like an attempt at style. If he is someone that lurks in the shadows, keep him in the shadows. If you want us to see his face, have your D.P. light his face.
The art direction in this film follows very closely to the 'SAW' films. Grungy locations, strange lighting, and characters that are constantly getting bloodier and bloodier. For the people that have described the traps in this film to be reminiscent of the 'SAW' films, they are sadly mistaken. In the 'SAW' films, the intention is to create dread, lasting tension, and finally a violent release (although not always). Here, the traps are like 'The Last House on the Left' meets 'Home Alone'.
The editing is a constant source of distraction. Things flash in front of the screen for no reason. We see shots of CGI spiders looming around. Why? To create atmosphere? I don't think so.
And the story; What story?
I went to 'The Collector' with a joy in my step and a song in my heart, only to be disappointed in almost every concievable way. This is not art, this is not scary, this is not craft. Hell, it's hardly even cinema.
Arkin wants to smooth over the rough patch his family is currently going through. He seems like a hard working man that's trying to make a living by doing some housework for a family who lives out in the country. It turns out that Arkin has more problems than he lets on though. His wife, Lisa, has quite a pile of debt resting on her shoulders and the loan sharks want their share that very night. Knowing his paycheck isn't enough to pay for their debt, Arkin assures Lisa that he'll have the money by midnight. Arkin is actually a thief who has been scoping out his employer's property the entire time he's been working for him. With the family away on vacation, the safe behind the mirror in the couple's bedroom is ripe for the taking. Unbeknownst to Arkin, however, is that the family never left and somebody else beat him to the punch. A man who's known as The Collector has already broken into the house Arkin had his eye on. After a quick investigation, Arkin notices the traps The Collector has set up in nearly every room and by every exit. As Arkin weighs his options, he realizes he must try to help the family he originally intended to steal from in a race against time.
The Collector is a film that is somewhat hurt by its own hype. It's written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan (who also directs), the writing team who penned the last three Saw films (including part VI). News broke right before its release that the film was almost a prequel to Saw. In the horror community, being a part of the Saw franchise is a rather large achievement. Even if you're not a fan of the franchise, it's hard to deny how well the Saw films do at the box office as their gross revenue is sometimes up to ten times what the film's budget was. The down side is that The Collector seems to make this point blatantly obvious. The film gives off a sense of deja vu throughout its entire duration. The Collector's traps are very reminiscent of Jigsaw's traps, at least in the way they're set up (reverse bear trap in Saw compared to the bear trap scene in The Collector). The Collector also looks and feels like a Saw film. The quick edits that a lot of people expressed their dislike for in Saw are used more often than not in The Collector. Grainy and high contrast filters along with those quick edits make it a bit hard to distinguish what events are actually occurring on screen at times. The first ten minutes or so of the film feel like an extended music video. These qualities don't necessarily make the film bad, but a film that's advertised as being original shouldn't have so much in common with a well distinguished franchise in the same genre; let alone when some of the same people are involved. Something that may have been easily averted if the marketing campaign didn't throw that fact in the public's face.
With all that being said, the film still has enough originality going for it to bring in horror fans. While the film does have its flaws (the main one being, how'd The Collector have time to set up all these traps?), they actually don't take away from the overall enjoyment for the film. What The Collector collects is rather interesting and even with its similarities to Saw, it's an original horror film that isn't a remake. Something we don't see a lot of anymore. What also might make or break the deal for horror fans seeing this film is that it doesn't shy away from blood and guts. The bear trap sequence alone is rather gruesome, but you do get to see some intestines make a cameo. So this definitely isn't for the squeamish. The film did leave a few open-ended questions, but they don't seem to be negative. The most memorable one is more of a sense of wondering why a certain character did a certain act rather than it being a glaring mistake. If this gets turned into a franchise (which depending on its reception, it just might), we'll probably get answers in the sequel(s). The Collector also seemed to establish a bit of tension at times, while the closing moments of the film were similar to a seesaw. The events that unfold seem to be going in one direction, but then quickly shift and go in another direction.
TV spots are saying things like, "Horror has a new icon," and that The Collector is the best horror film to come out in years. While the latter could be debated, the first part of that statement could very well be true. I, personally, wouldn't mind seeing more of The Collector as I like the idea and the character. The film as a whole, however, may have let its influences shine brighter than its original aspects. In retrospect, The Collector is an entertaining horror film composed of a decent antagonist, standard acting, an original storyline, and a few buckets of gore.
Just saw this today and enjoyed the hell out of it.Good to see a low budget horror movie in theaters.It had a great 80's vibe to it.This could be a start of a new horror franchise.To all the horror fans out their, go out and see this movie. Show your support and hollywood would have no choice and give us what we want.A gory good time!!The collector kicks major ass!!
Just saw it I thought it was good. I found myself shaking my leg in a few spots due to the tension. It could be a good franchise, if it is dealt with properly. Creepy yet effective
The Collector was a very good little horror movie with a lower budget but there is nothing wrong with that. I hope this villain returns for more cat and mouse games for years to come. THe Collector has everything to entertain a horror movie fan: suspense, blood/gore, and alittle sex. Orphan and The Collector are definitely two very solid horror films that came out this summer and they definitely revived the horror genre in different ways. Go see them both!
Just got done watching the movie. I thought it was pretty good, very brutal... but i liked it. It was kind of creppy in a way. It just gave me chills, idk why. But i did like it alot. Better than the "saw" movies, i think the writers did a better job at this. very very good movie! I think alot of people will enjoy this movie!
If you like a movie with very little plot and a lot of torture, then this is the movie for you. Luckily I am one of those people. It was great to see a low budget film in the theaters. Some parts were a little cheesy, but over all it was a really good movie.
Great movie.. but leaves you asking alot of questions, like how was he able to set up so many traps & board the windows in such a small amount of time...? I REALLY enjoyed it, though. Very intense, not too jumpy. The ending made me upset, though... seeing as though the SAW people never let anyone get away.
very fun film with inventive kills, solid pacing, a color correction that screams 80's slasher. All in all one of the most fun in the movies this year, right up there with Drag Me to Hell, Up, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Taken, I Love You Man, Star Trek,and The Hangover.
Great flick, better than any of the saw flicks in my opinion. Cant wait to check it out again. Worth seeing in theaters id say.
Posted By: Blood-Sicles at 11:57am, August 1, 2009
B-horror classic of the decade. It's cool to see a good low-budget horror film get a wide release. It's like Halloween and Night of the Demons. Those films were low budget even back then and they became successful because of their "underground" appeal, so get your chance to see the future "B movie classic" on the big screen. The best part was that it wasn't done on purpose- this film tried it's hardest to look amazing and came a little short, which I totally loved!!!
The story was so well done, they never made the mistake of revealing too much (like the old slashers) and the killer was BADASS.
The kills are definitely not made on the "Saw" budget, but they were still fun and wince-inducing (bear traps, anyone??). One fear I had going into this was that this would be torture porn, but it surprisingly isn't! The closest thing you see to torture is the aftermath of torture. The killer is either busy chasing or stabbing (and sometimes shooting) victims when the traps don't do the job. The traps were awesome and believable. This killer is on a budget and he does amazing stuff without being too unrealistic (although there is one trap that worked a little too perfectly). There's a nice body count too so the film doesn't become a boring chase scene.
My only complaint is that my local multiplex, after advertising the hell out of this film in their theater, sent the film to the shittiest theater in town (the rumbling bass speaker was busted, the seats were old and sticky, and the place smelled like body odor...).
I thought this was one of the best original horror movies i've seen in a while. Just as i was thinking hollywood couldn't do better than just remake old movies too. I was pleasantly surprised. I would definitely reccomend this movie alone just for the bear trap scene.
JUST "SAW" THIS MOVIE...AWSOME DEATH TRAPS.....BUT COME ON NO STORY LINE...NONE WHAT SO EVER....DIDN'T TELL YOU WHY??? HOPEFULLY THE PREQ WILL ANSWER ALL OUR QUESTIONS....
Not bad, not great, but you'll remember the kills in this one. Altogether not exactly what you'd expect given the trailers, but I guessed who the killer was a mile off. Lingering questions haunt me, like how much time did this guy have to set up all these traps (?), but ultimately satisfying. I'd say to go see this one, even if it's for the killings, although I personally found the killer himself to be quite underwhelming (he looks to me like Tiny from House of 1000 Corpses, if Tiny were average height). Meh, at least it earns its hard R.
Sick movie, much better than I anticipated. I intentionally didn't read too much about this movie so I'd be somewhat surprised at what happened. Far better than the past 3 Saws and liked the traps setup in the house. A ton of suspense and some definite squirmy moments of gruesome shit. Fun movie to see in the theaters for sure. Would have received another star if it wasn't for some bitch opening the exit door to have a smoke about halfway through. The glare from outside on the screen made me want to butcher the dumb bitch. She also clapped at the end of it and kept yelling how bad it was. But aside from that (which really didnt have anything to do with the content of the movie) it was an unbelievable thrill ride any horror fan will enjoy. Unless of course you're one of the pussies on this board that for some reason call yourselves "horror fans" and don't like the brutal side of the genre. Still don't understand why there's Twilight fans on here.
Hands down, the best horror film of 2009 so far. Looks like the horror genre is finally starting to get some balls again!! If the writers can come up with something THIS good, it makes me eagerly anticipate "Saw VI". Go see it, you won't be disappointed.
was it amazing?.. no.. was it entertaining as hell? yes.. was it gruesome and gory.. yes.. did it have the best cat kill ever? YES!
driven by dark atmosphere.. even though barely any dialogue the acting by josh stewart was solid.. it almost felt like an alternative solution to Saw 2.. but a much better version of Saw 2.. a house filled with booby traps.. definetely had a nice body count and creative kills.. pretty predicatable too but it was the ending that I would have wanted.. horror fans will enjoy
a good flick the traps and kills were good i like the fact that they didnt give u a whole bio of "the collector". it was shot well the acting was good like "nohandtyper" said its good 4 a viewing or 2 jus hope they let it b and dont go fuckin sequal crazy. fuck "a new horror icon is born" let the psycho b.
This might be the worst movie of 2009. Don't believe any of the reviews here that say otherwise, they're probably just trying to make sure you pay to see it (meaning, bogus reviews from people involved in the movie). The guys who wrote this (and one directed it, if you can call it directing) are one trick ponies and not even good at that one trick. The SAW movies they wrote were the worst ones too. This is what happens when people who win reality shows make movies. If these guys didn't get picked for Project Greenlight, they'd be flipping burgers, which is exactly what they should be doing if this is the extent of their talent.
This film is, in my opinion, perfect. To avoid spoilers, I will not provide too much detail.
I came into this movie expecting a slightly more polished version of 'Inside' and it greatly exceeding any expectations from a horror movie released in North America. That's not much, I know, but I cannot possibly recommend this movie enough,
The cinematography, was phenomenal. In the first 25 minutes of the movie (before the pace even picks up consistently) I thought to myself "the sound, music, and cinematography have been so great thus far I could leave the theater now and would thoroughly recommend this movie to any fellow horror fan".
After a great start, the movie doesn't ever disappoint. The gore, tension, and acting are all spot on. While one may not come to expect much in this department with regards to current horror, this movie goes above and beyond anything I have watched within recent memory.
I know this review is jumbled and poorly written, but I'm putting this out there for the sake of the movie. GO SEE IT. This movie will definitely impress anyone who is even remotely interested in horror. Don't fucking blow it for the horror world and let another GREAT film that has been released nation-wide bomb. All that does is give horror movies a bad rep and make studios not want to release them for fear of not making it big in the box office. This movie is 100% worth EVERY penny you will spend on it in the theater.
Go see it NOW. Recommend it to EVERYONE you can because this movie deserves much, MUCH more than the six (fucking pathetic...) other individuals who were in the theater on OPENING day.
PLEASE, take my word for it. You will not regret it.
An EASY 10 in my book. THANK you everyone who worked on this film and got it wide-released for allowing me to have paid the price I did to see it in theaters, because it deserves SO much more.
Crazy movie. I was glad that the characters were actually smart (well... some of them). It was interesting. Good for a one time view. Do as I did and catch the matinee of this. If you're like me, you'll enjoy this as well.
Wow!! This movie was so fucking intense! Started out slow but then it is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. The traps were awesome as were the deaths. A new horror icon is born in The Collector. The ending was really badass. Also, loved the score they did to this movie as it made the movie more intense. Go check it out!!
The men whom Lionsgate trusted their valued "SAW" franchise to get a chance to stand on their own, and in a way, repeat some of their past.... to much success!
Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, as you already know, are quickly becoming to go-to guys when you want a clever and twisted horror script, and here, they are given their chance to shine as the Director as well(At least for Marcus Dunstan). Originally pitched as a prequel to Saw, the duo wasted no time adapting their original story when the opportunity arose to turn it into its own film. Leaving behind the confusing plot twists of the Saw franchise, and the in-your-face-slapstick style of the Feast films, the writers succeed in delivering a much darker and depressing tone, more agonizing than anything seen in either franchises. From the very beginning, the film has an immediate sense of dread surrounding every character and location, and things only get worse when our Collector arrives. He wastes no time in setting up his playhouse with sick and sadistic contraptions, as one could very easily confuse him as an aged psychopathic "Kevin McAllister" with how quick and easily he boobytraps the entire house! Enter our hero, whose only hope to save his own family is to rob this family. Now, he quickly finds himself in a situation he was not prepared for, as he now has the added responsibility of saving the very same family he showed up to steal from.
The writers take a basic premise (Basically any home invasion movie with Saw elements) and find a way to elevate it to something much more than that. This is the type of horror film that wastes no time in getting under your skin, and enjoys every second of doing so. There isn't a single act of violence or torture in this film that goes unseen. Everything is right out in the open for not only our hero to witness, but the audience as well. This pacing continues through-out the whole film, for once the game is set in motion around the 15 minute mark, no one in the theatre is allowed a second to regain their composure, as the Collector has set up to barrage you on all sides! Using traps so simple in staging, but yet SO BRUTAL in execution, the film will easily have any audience cringing in their seats. Of course, all the bloodshed in the world doesn't mean anything if you don't have something worth while behind it, and the Collector does not disappoint on that end. Granted, the character is not given any back story or explanation, and it's that element that truly allows him to stand out. Given nothing to work off, actor Juan Hernandez infuses the character which such a dark, brooding, menacing viciousness that he easily ranks up there as one of the stronger new boogeyman(Impressive since they were not trying to take the character anywere to begin with, he was just meant to simply be there) And boy is he given plenty to do to show off that demeanor, easily creating a believably scary threat to anyone around him. Add to the fact he's willing to do anything to anyone, just really sets him apart amongst a sea of mediocrity.
Spoiler:
All is not perfect, however. Due to the constraints of not really setting up a story for the killer, theres really no where for the film to go after the escape from the house. The film decides to merely just end, not allowing a final confrontation between hero and villain. The whole film, our hero waits and hides just out of reach of the collector, and at the end, as he's being taken away in an ambulance, our collector does just that, he collects him and the movie ends. I wasnt upset by the fact that he doesn't make it out with the money needed to save him own family. I wasn't upset by the fact that was set up to be an unhappy ending, I was just upset that because what became before it was so engrossingly vicious, the ending seemed sort of a tack on. If it had just delivered the same feeling and reaction you got when you saw SAW for the first time (Admit it, you were Blown Away!) it would of easily been the best horror film of the year. Instead, now it's a strong contender, but not a definite.
Either way, theres no denying that this film delivers on what it set out to do(and what SAW 2,3,4 and 5 failed at) and that's to create a strong, effective, and violent horror movie. Now, let's just see what these guys can do without a movie filled with traps!
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