|
CHAOS - ReReviewed
I've been writing movie reviews for almost a
year now in various places. I wrote for another
horror site (Horrorwatch.com), MySpace, and now,
ultimately, here at Cinema Eulogies, my final
resting place. Of all the reviews I've written,
this is the first time I have ever gone back and
re-reviewed a film. I stand by all of my
reviews, and this review for CHAOS is no
different. I stand by my original review, but
after viewing again and watching the special
features of the official release, I want to go
back and add to my original review. This is
definitely a film that has had many, many mixed
reviews; I want to give director David DeFalco
the credit he deserves for such a powerful and
moving film. The following is the original
review along with my original rating. I will add
my additions after that. Without further ado, I
give you my review and my thoughts on CHAOS:
"Angelica has died a very unnatural death...and
the worst hasn't happened to her yet."
Angelica comes in from LA to visit long time friend
Emily. Looking for a night of fun, they travel
deep into the woods to attend a Rave. Being
earlier, they ask around, looking for some
ecstasy. They run into Swan, who says he has
some killer ecstasy, and they should follow him
to his house where his friends are. Reluctantly,
they follow Swan. Once they get inside the
house, Angelica and Emily are jumped by Chaos,
Frankie, and Daisy, who are a trio of criminal
degenerates. Tied up and taken deeper into the
woods, Angelica and Emily are unaware that they
aren't even close to the worst that can happen.
Finally, Angelica sees the opportunity to
escape, and she and Emily take that chance.
Thinking they have a better chance of escape
going separate ways, they decide to split up.
Eventually, both are caught, unaware of what
happened to the other. Chaos shows them both the
meaning of sadistic fear. Our sadistic criminals
then decide it is time to hit the road. Their
van doesn't start, so they head out on foot.
They soon stumble onto a home. Little do they
know this is the home of Emily, where her
parents sit in fear, wondering what happened to
her. This is where the last stand takes place,
but who will come out as the victor?
"An average of 100 young adults are abducted and
murdered each year by strangers. Most of these
victims are women. The primary motivation for
these killers is sexual assault. Most of these
criminals have had prior arrests for serious,
violent crimes."
Said to be an extreme graphic depiction, based on true
events, this is loosely based on Wes Craven's
"Last House on the Left." This film is said to
be made to serve as a warning to parents and
potential victims, and is intended to be as
disturbing as the subject matter it depicts in
order to educate and perhaps, save lives.
After viewing this, I was left in a sort of awe. I
wasn't sure what to think. If you have seen
"Last House on the Left", as I have, you will
have an idea of how the movie progresses. If you
have not seen that film, then "CHAOS" will shock
and disturb you. Some of the scenes are very
hard to watch. To me, the film was extremely
scary and disturbing in the fact that things
like this happen everyday. It can happen to
anyone at anytime. Its movies like these that
are real eye openers. This is the type of film
that shows the sadistic side of human nature.
Although not as brutal as I thought it would be,
it is still brutal in its own way.
The acting was above par for an independent film.
Especially the character of Chaos, played by
Kevin Gage, who is the sadistic leader of these
degenerates. He brings a certain evil and
uncaring brutality to the character. He looks
like a slightly smaller version of Goldberg,
only ten times more demented and evil. Also, the
characters of Angelica and Emily, played by Maya
Barovich and Chantal Degroat, and very
believable as the helpless victims. You have to
keep telling yourself that this is a movie.
Their cries, screams, and general attitude are
so believable, that you almost think this is
actually happening to them.
The camera work is also done very well. Especially in
some of the scenes when Emily is running through
the woods, you get some nice use of a first
person point of view. Also the shots of each of
the girls, after they are recaptured, being
tortured, bring out a truly scary and eerie
feeling. These scenes are very hard to sit
through, given the realism of them.
Although there is not a lot of blood at all, that still
doesn't make the brutality any less. There is
really only one bloody scene, but this film
still slaps you in the face. This is the type of
film that doesn't have to be bloody to be
brutal. It still scares the hell out of you.
Again, this is loosely based on Wes Craven's "Last
House on the Left" but still has it's own
feeling to it. Especially the end. This has one
of the biggest twist endings since "Haute
Tension (High Tension)." This does not end as
Wes Craven's film. It is something you would not
expect. That's all I can say without giving it
away.
All and all I liked the film. Given the nature of the
film, I cannot say I enjoyed it, but it is still
a good film. I would rate this a 7 out of 10
nipple slicing, sadistic degenerates.
Now my re-review:
I pretty much stated my thoughts above, but would also
like to add a little more. The first thing I
want to add is that, yes, this may loosely be
based on Last House on the Left. The
similarities are undeniable. BUT, it was also
based on a true account. Of course, if two films
are based on the same true event, would they not
have the same content? Would they not have the
same similarities? Yes, yes they would, but I
still say CHAOS is it's own stand alone film.
CHAOS and Last House on the Left may still have
the same storyline, but CHAOS still has its own
feel to it.
Based on two of the most brutal murders of all time,
CHAOS brings you the doings of the 70's serial
killer, Donald "Pee Wee" Gaskins. The special
features contain a tour, for the first time
ever, with film director David DeFalco, through
L.A. County's Coroner Crypt, where the bodies of
the two young ladies passed through at the time
the actual crimes happened.
Again, I stand behind David DeFalco and this film. It
really opens your eyes to the things that go on
around you, that can't be denied. There is no
avoiding this film when viewing. It smacks the
reality of evil right in your face. I applaud
David Defalco and the entire cast and crew for
such a realistic glimpse of reality.
This is one director that is going to hit the horror
scene like Hellfire. I will definitely be
watching his progression in filmmaking. I am now
awaiting and anticipating his next installment
of evil.
The official release also contains a commentary track
along with the whole Roger Ebert Controversy.
Just a little comment on the controversy, Roger
Ebert makes no sense at all. With both reviews
he did, he totally contradicts himself
throughout his entire second essay.
I HIGHLY recommend seeing this film. I liked it so much
more after watching again, and watching the
special features. I liked it so much more that,
in fact, I have actually been going around the
web defending the film. Again, I stand by my
review and my opinion of the film. I liked it so
much better the second time around that I change
my official rating to a 9 out of 10 nipple
slicing, sadistic degenerates. |
|
(2005)
Directed by
David DeFalco
Writing credits
David DeFalco
Credited cast:
Kevin Gage ... Chaos
Sage Stallone ... Swan
Kelly K.C. Quann ... Daisy
Stephen Wozniak ... Frankie
Chantal Degroat ... Emily
Maya Barovich ... Angelica
Ken Medlock ... Sheriff
Scott Richards ... Dr. Leo Collins
Deborah Lacey ... Esther Collins |
|
|
