THE SACRIFICE (Episode
101)
Directed by: Breck Eisner / Written by: Mick Garris
Starring: Jeffrey Pierces, Rachel Miner, Mircea Monroe
SYNOPSIS:
Deadly secrets are revealed when four criminals find
themselves stranded in an abandoned fort with a trio of seductive sirens.
AMMON GILBERT (Rating: 3
out of 4):
What I
enjoyed most about THE SACRIFICE was the mystery of figuring out what the
hell was going on. At first, the mystery revolves around the four guys on
the run: why are they running, why is one shot, and how are they all
related?
As soon as that mystery is solved and they arrive at the ‘safe’
house, it’s on to the next set of questions: what is up with the creepy
cemetery? Who are these creepy (yet totally hot) women? Who is the priest
chained to the bed? Why did that chick sew that guy’s mouth shut (ouch!)?
What is the killer ‘thing’ that’s coming for them?
Mick Garris’s script was a well written teleplay, paced
in way that sucked me in with every commercial break. The thrills and
chills were there, and just the right splash of blood and gore to keep me
happy, almost making me forget this was on network TV (almost). For the most
part, I found the performances solid and believable, I dug the ‘look’ and
the ‘vision,’ and the music was surprisingly spooky.
Can’t say I was
expecting much from Breck Eisner (director of SAHARA and the upcoming remake
of THE CRAZIES)—glad to report he ended up doing a decent job. THE SACRIFICE
was a mix between FEAST and FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, and was a smart move to
kick start the series—let’s hope future episodes keep on truckin’ on par
with this.
As I side note: I’d like to critique the FEAR
ITSELF opening credits. Actually, just one word sums it up: LAME! I mostly
had issues with the theme music—too rocky, not enough scary. They should
have taken more notes from MASTERS OF HORROR, and had something creepy… what
they had was something that was… LAME!
————————–
MIKE CATALANO (Rating: 2 out of 4):
THE
SACRIFICE wasn’t an entirely bad way to kick off a brand new horror
anthology series (on network TV). It offered a fair enough share of gore
and monster mayhem. The acting was fine all around.
The standouts were a
strong yet vulnerable Rachel Miner (who’s shaping up to be quite the scream
queen with PENNY DREADFUL, CULT, and TOOTH AND NAIL already under her belt),
Jeffrey Price as the hard-nosed leader, and Jesse Plemons as Price’s naïve
brother. I also enjoyed the premise (sort of like THE VILLAGE crossed with
THE LOST BOYS) which was truly loaded with potential, but…
I don’t think the potential was never fully realized.
Maybe it was because the episode had to clock in at under an hour, but I
definitely would have liked to have seen and even learned more about the
secret, blood-sucking creature lurking within the closed off community. The
ending felt kind of rushed and somewhat unbelievable in the manner with
which the monster had to be disposed of.
However, the worst offense of all which will keep me
from really raving about this first episode is that it wasn’t the slightest
bit scary. Not one jump, not one uneasy feeling. When it ended, I was just
like, “Whatever.” Perhaps it’s again because THE SACRIFICE was airing on
network TV or the fact that I had just seen THE STRANGERS which sets the bar
pretty high, but if a series is called FEAR ITSELF, I expect a delivery of
fright in one form or another.
————————–
ERIC WALKUSKI (Rating 3 out of
4):
With THE SACRIFICE, Mick Garris’ MASTERS OF HORROR follow-up,
FEAR ITSELF, announces itself as an engaging surprise. Although we’re only
one episode in, this is an impressive, professional production, with ample
amounts of eerie imagery and unpleasantness (that’s a good thing).
I’ve given director Breck Eisner a hard time in the
past (mostly because he’s only known for being Michael Eisner’s son, and
helming the debacle that was SAHARA), but he frequently displays a nifty eye
in this chilly tale, and gets some solid work from his cast of unfamiliar
faces…
What’s most noteworthy about FEAR ITSELF – at least this particular episode
– is that the production is noticeably crisper and classier than that of
your typical MASTERS OF HORROR entry. This is a major plus, as that show had
a tendency to walk on the bland side.
THE SACRIFICE is visually lavish (again, perhaps it’s
only this episode) – and it’s that high quality of cinematography and
production design that elevate an otherwise mediocre story… Of course, I
realize that NBC has some money to spend, but thank goodness they’re showing
unlikely faith in a horror anthology.
Long story short, I am so far enjoying the irony that THE SACRIFICE would
most likely have been a dismal bore on Showtime; it would have been gorier,
and with copious amounts of female flesh, but otherwise a complete eyesore.
We can only hope Garris and co. keep up the good work on NBC.