Mike
06-07-2003, 06:54 PM
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JLHF.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Genre: Drama, Thriller and Suspense/Horror
Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.
Plot:
After witnessing a horrible incident, a graduate student (Regan) struggles to find the link between her childhood fear of the dark and the night terrors she now suffers, and must confront what may or may not be real.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for terror/violence, sexual content and language.
THEY (2002)
If you threw Pitch Black, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Final Destination, and The Ring in a blender you'd probably end up with something like "They." It's a moody little horror film for mature audiences. It may look like a teen horror flick but it actually takes a more serious tone and I see adult audiences enjoying this more than teens.
The main place this movie scores is with the directing. I loved the lighting and the uneasy feeling the movie gives off, especially during the final few minutes. It really made my heart beat and I felt uneasy. The many jump scenes were also a nice touch, whether they worked or not. Some worked for me and some didn't, but it all depends on the person.
Laura Regan really surprised me as Julia. Before seeing the movie I wasn't expecting much from her. From the trailer I thought her acting seemed kind of weak but I'm glad I was proved wrong. She actually gave a very good and likable performance. She's also quite cute which also surprised me because from the trailer I didn't find her that attractive. Marc Blucas does an alright job but he doesn't have much to do except play the token boyfriend that we've seen a number of times before. At least I can say his acting has improved a "little" since his days on TV's "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." Ethan Embry and Dagmara Dominczyk also do fine with what they are given, although I have seen better performances from Embry in the past.
Unfortunately, even with the many high points of "They" it's not without its faults, the main one being the script. I would have liked more background info on the characters, especially Julia (Regan). To me it seemed like Terry (Dominczyk) was one of the most developed characters. I really enjoyed the story she told about what happened the night "they" took her. Where she ends up and what she does is pretty creepy and managed to stay with me the whole movie. The other main flaw of the script is that too many questions are left unanswered. Now I'm not someone who needs everything explained to them but I'd at least like to know what the hell "they" want by the time the movie is over.
Overall, despite some flaws I really enjoyed "They," it's a well crafted thriller with some very good directing from Robert Harmon and one hell of an eerie score. This clever horror thriller is sure to become one of the years most underrated. It should however develop a cult following, especially once it hits video. It's a love it or hate it kind of film that I don't think a lot of mainstream audiences will like. I think the ending alone will turn a lot of people off, I on the other hand loved it. Along with "The Ring," "They" has one of the most downright wicked endings of the year. It definitely had my heart pumping. I also can't forget the solid opening scene, it was very well done and one hell of a creepy way to start off the movie.
Grade: 7/10 or B or ***1/2 of *****
Where I'm Coming From:
The Ring - 9/10 (A-)
Pitch Black - 6/10 (C+)
A Nightmare On Elm Street - 8/10 (B+)
Final Destination - 8/10 (B+)
Darkness Falls - 5/10 (C-)
Signs - 5/10 (C-)
Frailty - 9/10 (A-)
Below - 7/10 (B)
Dragonfly - 6/10 (C+)
Fear Dot Com - 4/10 (D+)
Abandon - 7/10 (B)
"MY MOVIE GRADING SCALE"
10/10 = A+ or ***** of *****
9/10 = A or A- or ****1/2 of *****
8/10 = A- or B+ or **** of *****
7/10 = B or B- or ***1/2 of *****
6/10 = B- or C+ or *** of *****
5/10 = C or C- or **1/2 of *****
4/10 = D+ or ** of *****
3/10 = D- or D or *1/2 of *****
2/10 = F or * of *****
1/10 = F or 1/2* of *****
Genre: Drama, Thriller and Suspense/Horror
Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.
Plot:
After witnessing a horrible incident, a graduate student (Regan) struggles to find the link between her childhood fear of the dark and the night terrors she now suffers, and must confront what may or may not be real.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for terror/violence, sexual content and language.
THEY (2002)
If you threw Pitch Black, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Final Destination, and The Ring in a blender you'd probably end up with something like "They." It's a moody little horror film for mature audiences. It may look like a teen horror flick but it actually takes a more serious tone and I see adult audiences enjoying this more than teens.
The main place this movie scores is with the directing. I loved the lighting and the uneasy feeling the movie gives off, especially during the final few minutes. It really made my heart beat and I felt uneasy. The many jump scenes were also a nice touch, whether they worked or not. Some worked for me and some didn't, but it all depends on the person.
Laura Regan really surprised me as Julia. Before seeing the movie I wasn't expecting much from her. From the trailer I thought her acting seemed kind of weak but I'm glad I was proved wrong. She actually gave a very good and likable performance. She's also quite cute which also surprised me because from the trailer I didn't find her that attractive. Marc Blucas does an alright job but he doesn't have much to do except play the token boyfriend that we've seen a number of times before. At least I can say his acting has improved a "little" since his days on TV's "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." Ethan Embry and Dagmara Dominczyk also do fine with what they are given, although I have seen better performances from Embry in the past.
Unfortunately, even with the many high points of "They" it's not without its faults, the main one being the script. I would have liked more background info on the characters, especially Julia (Regan). To me it seemed like Terry (Dominczyk) was one of the most developed characters. I really enjoyed the story she told about what happened the night "they" took her. Where she ends up and what she does is pretty creepy and managed to stay with me the whole movie. The other main flaw of the script is that too many questions are left unanswered. Now I'm not someone who needs everything explained to them but I'd at least like to know what the hell "they" want by the time the movie is over.
Overall, despite some flaws I really enjoyed "They," it's a well crafted thriller with some very good directing from Robert Harmon and one hell of an eerie score. This clever horror thriller is sure to become one of the years most underrated. It should however develop a cult following, especially once it hits video. It's a love it or hate it kind of film that I don't think a lot of mainstream audiences will like. I think the ending alone will turn a lot of people off, I on the other hand loved it. Along with "The Ring," "They" has one of the most downright wicked endings of the year. It definitely had my heart pumping. I also can't forget the solid opening scene, it was very well done and one hell of a creepy way to start off the movie.
Grade: 7/10 or B or ***1/2 of *****
Where I'm Coming From:
The Ring - 9/10 (A-)
Pitch Black - 6/10 (C+)
A Nightmare On Elm Street - 8/10 (B+)
Final Destination - 8/10 (B+)
Darkness Falls - 5/10 (C-)
Signs - 5/10 (C-)
Frailty - 9/10 (A-)
Below - 7/10 (B)
Dragonfly - 6/10 (C+)
Fear Dot Com - 4/10 (D+)
Abandon - 7/10 (B)
"MY MOVIE GRADING SCALE"
10/10 = A+ or ***** of *****
9/10 = A or A- or ****1/2 of *****
8/10 = A- or B+ or **** of *****
7/10 = B or B- or ***1/2 of *****
6/10 = B- or C+ or *** of *****
5/10 = C or C- or **1/2 of *****
4/10 = D+ or ** of *****
3/10 = D- or D or *1/2 of *****
2/10 = F or * of *****
1/10 = F or 1/2* of *****