Catacombs

 

Date Of Release: 7^th October 2007

Director: Tomm Coker & David Elliot

Producer: Gregg Hoffman, Mark Burg & Oren Koules

Starring: Shannyn Sossamon & Alicia Moore

Running Time: 90 minutes

Distributor: Lionsgate

Review

From the producers of saw comes this psychological horror. Set in the catacombs of Paris (although, a big part of it was actually filmed in Bucharest, Romania), it is essentially about a girl, who is extremely nervous about everything, and is invited by her sister to come to Paris. When she arrives there, they go to a rave held within the catacombs. Events unfold and she is then pursued by a manic killer. There is a twist at the end however…

When I first heard that there was going to be a film in the catacombs, I was stoked! I have always wanted to go there and heard so many tales. I was to be disappointed however, as this film is not actually about the catacombs or its history (although some of it is briefly mentioned), it is a story of a maniac who dwells within it. Also, being a film done by the producers of Saw, I half expected it to be full of blood and gore. Again, I was left disappointed.

Even though I had initial disappointments, the film isn’t actually that bad. The cast are pretty good in both acting ability and charisma. They film has a good steady flow, getting to the point and not actually stalling about on unnecessary plot lines. Even the way it is filmed is very sporadic and very tense (which is obviously what they were going for). It is quite similar to Saw in some ways, especially in the flashback scenes. Even in the scene where they explain what the madman is like and his past, it looks like something right out of the franchise. All that aside, it does stand on its own slightly.

 

 

The best scene would have to be the first contact with the “monster”. They played it quite well, this tale all of a sudden coming to reality. Pinks character is pretty good at her story telling element and the way that she almost winds up her sister to such torment. The only thing that I would have liked to have seen different was the ending. It was good but it just lacked the something, it kind of made you go “oh. Really?” rather than “Wow!” Kind of leaves you wondering was that it? There is one thing I can’t fault however and that is the setting. It is very dark and beautiful, exactly what I would imagine if I went there.

All in all, there was space for this movie to play a bit more on people’s fears but it didn’t just quite get there. Still would love to see if anyone could actually watch it on their own!

Rating: 7/10 - If you haven’t seen it yet then I think you Cata comb and buy it!