Cabin in the Woods Review (NO SPOILERS)

Cabin in the Woods” might just be the most audacious film to ever come out of 2012. Such a statement might be fruitless when to consider this is just near the middle of the year when we have yet to see some truly artistic measures of film, but to be perfectly honest; no film that comes out this year, could ever match up the true creativity and audaciousness of “Cabin in the Woods”. It certainly is one of the most surprising delights one could ever see in a world where information on any movie is just a right-click away, yet, the most fun aspect about this film is the fact that the viewer has no idea as to what is to come from “Cabin in the Woods”. It would be unjust to label it as just a “horror” film. It rises far beyond the conventions of what one would expect from a “horror” movie. This film not only toys with the conventions of a genre so polluted with unoriginal, wasteful, uninspiring and more frankly, “trashy” films that misuse the genre that is “horror”, but it goes as far as to put an end to the genre by simply shining a light to the tropes that it’s been familiar with and more over, paints a honest portrait of people and entertainment in a post-modern society that has been desensitized with the horror movies people have seen to a point where they view it comically. The film cleverly and entertainingly calls out the cliches that rule our minds in a world of entertainment. The creators of this film have boldly and shamelessly come out to make the horror film to end all horror films.

    The big news that surrounds this film is that it has a lot of great surprises and it’s best for anyone to go in knowing little to nothing to really enjoy the gifts “Cabin in the Woods” has in stored. In order not to spoil anything major plot-wise or any twists, All that can be explained is the brief premise of the film, after that, it’s a crazy, frenetic ride without any destination. Basically, we are introduced to five college friends who are taking a trip to a remote cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway (as if we’ve never heard that before) and soon, strange events start to occur that sends the teens down a spiral of macabre and horror. Now, what may look like another derivative horror film, remember, there is more to this story than what is being revealed. And it’s one of those reasons why this film is effective as it takes a formula so banal but uses it in a way that not only mocks the genre of horror, but also prides itself in it and in the end, obliterates it.

Never has a horror film been this creative and uniquely imaginative that can make people not want to talk about or ruining anything, is truly remarkable. The only resemblance it can have to other horror flicks is 1996 self-referential of slasher flicks; “Scream”. But to where “Scream” made aware of the slasher film tropes and schemes and did it in a way of being meta about it, it still followed the formula of being just, a slasher film. “Cabin in the Woods” takes the tropes of all horror movies and blends it in with a surreal science fiction aspect (not to be revealed) that it builds up all the horror tropes that seem familiar and deconstructs it into a final finale that both entertains and teases the audience’s expectations on what is to come next. Even as he first act alone follows the traditional horror flick, it has certain elements that distinct itself from not being the same as those other horror films. The characters are actually presented as real people and are funny, charming and likeable. They are presented as the archetypes of horror movies. We have our standard jock Curt (Chris Hemsworth), the dumb blonde Jules (Anna Hutchinson), the joking stoner Marty (Frank Kranz), and smart intellect Holden (Jessie Williams) and our typical here, the insecure virgin Dana (Kristen Conolly). But as the film progresses, they movie beyond the archetypes and as for the film, it goes to the lengths of being so original and different than any horror film ever made, what one would expect to happen, the opposite immediately happens. This film has no determined destination, and that’s where the fun really begins.

The cast are just as a surprise as the rest of the film is. As far as playing the usual stereotypes of horror films, the cast along with the writers decided to add some depth to these characters. Kristen Conolly is innocently cute and perfect for her role. She doesn’t come off as annoying nor smarmy, but just defenseless as any other main heroine in a horror movie. The main standouts however are definitely Frank Kranz as the stoner and Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford who play a secretive role best not to be defined until seeing it. But Kranz does more than just play the stoner waiting for his inevitable doom, he provides some of the biggest laughs and proudly plays to a level of dedication rather than slumming through the role. He will be everyone’s main standout performance.

    What makes it work is the deeply layered script by director Drew Goddard and producer Joss Whedon. They live in a world of pop-culture humor and their dialogue only proves to show how great they can write a clever homage without it feeling being forced. The way it pokes fun at what the audience already knows only adds to the enjoyment of the film. They structure it to trick the audience from the familiar first act, to a sudden tense and comically effective act and to a third act where it is “utter chaos” and delves to the depths that no one can expect. The writers know how bold they’re being and acknowledge that. They are ready to throw the audience to a world-wind of insanity and to show how far they can stretch the premise to even absurd levels of fun and social satire. They set up a premise that seems paper thin as it sounds, yet, have a tone of bigger things to come and a payoff worthy of discussion, they have proudly put to shame on the horror of genre of the last 20 years. As a directorial debut, Goddard is assured to have a promising career. He can create tensions even in the most expected scenes and prove that there is a lot more than what is being shown (a scene involving a wolf’s head manikin).

    Regardless of the horror aspect, movies like this are so hard to make and so hard to even sell to an audience, that it’s a breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief knowing there is something remarkable and extravagant as “Cabin in the Woods”.  Being filmed over three years ago and left on the shelves of  “Hollywood of forgotten projects” to collect dust, only now for a studio as creatively courageous as Lionsgates to release it to the public, it feels as if the “messiah” for hard-core movie buffs has finally come and is ready to shake the foundations of a stale genre that rightfully so, looks like a joke. No film ever made can match up to the sheer boldness and audacity that “Cabin in the Woods” is. It’s a film that not only commentates on horror movies, but also paints an honest portrait on people’s attitudes toward horror and how insane it can get to a point where it is "Absolutely ridiculous." It has the tone of a cynical, yet witty attitude that it’s hard not to be engrossed by its fun, play-full remarks. “Cabin in the Woods” is one of the best in a genre of uninspiring trite. As niche of a film it is, it will appeal to anyone’s taste. It works well as a smart comedy and an effective horror thriller, but only the luckiest of the few who understand the pop-culture humor and references will truly appreciate it. This is a film made by film buffs for film buffs.

Rating: A by Amritpal Rai