'PROWL': Three Stars (Out of Five) Another entry in this year's 'After Dark HorrorFest'. This 'After Dark Original' focuses on a group of youths who are attacked by blood thirsty vampires in an abandoned slaughterhouse. It's directed by Patrik Syversen and written by Tim Tori, a couple rookie horror filmmakers (each with one other feature under their belt). The cast is filled with fresh newbies as well, with the exception of Bruce Payne (who you may remember as the bad guy in 'PASSENGER 57', as well as many others). There isn't a lot to the film thanks to it's extremely low budget but there is a fair amount of creative tricks and it's pretty well made considering. The film tells the story of a young woman named Amber (Courtney Hope) who keeps having nightmarish visions and can't wait to get out of the small town she's felt stuck in all her life. She convinces five of her friends to help her move to Chicago. As soon as they get on the road though their car dies. A passing by truck driver (Payne) stops to help them out and the groups ends up hitching a ride in the back of his semi. They soon learn there are packages of blood in the back of the truck with them and the driver has taken a sudden detour. Next thing they know they're trapped in an abandoned slaughterhouse and being hunted by blood thirsty creatures. I think the horror genre is the best for showing off creative talent and skills on a low budget. A low budget actually forces more creativity. This movie is pretty routine and unoriginal but it has some nice new ways of telling the same old story. The characters are likable and the acting is decent (Payne shines). The directing is impressive and the movie as a whole didn't make me sorry for spending 84 minutes with it. It's a better than average splatter film, probably enhanced by it's low budget.
Prowl
(2010)
Forced creativity is the best kind and what better way than with a low budget horror film!
14 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers