Severance [DVD] [2006]

The plot is nice and simple. A (predominantly English) sales division working for a multinational weapons corporation are sent on a team building exercise in Hungary only to find themselves stuck in a dense forest where they are being hunted by a merciless European gang.

While Severance doesn't do anything particularly wrong, there are of course a couple of faults. Any work environment has to have some pretty unlikeable characters so it's unavoidable to feel less sorry for some when the killings start. Toby Stephens is undoubtedly one of the finest actors around, but he's yet to play a role in a successful film that really does him justice. Utterly capable and ever reliable Tim McInnerny (of legendary Blackadder fame) is amiable enough, but it's Danny Dyer that gets most of the punchy one-liners as the part-druggie, part-chav cheeky chappie he's grown accustomed to playing. Thankfully, cute Laura Harris hasn't been cast as the 'is she or isn't she the villain all along?' as it's really time she ditched that and moved on.

The two distinct genres don't always make for a happy marriage and eventually the tone shifts over to deadpan. At least one line is stolen from elsewhere but there's a couple of shots that felt like homages rather than plagiarism. There's more than enough laughs and nasty moments to fill both audience preferences. The fast pace means Severance doesn't risk outstaying a welcome, the special effects team did a great job and the camera work is suitably snappy. The only real risk is hype as anyone expecting anything other than a night out with a few grim moments and some genuine belly laughs will leave wondering what the fuss is about. Try to avoid thinking about where these guys took their inspiration from too as that wouldn't do anyone any good either. A solid 3 star experience that hopefully has some extra bits come home-entertainment time.

I recently invested in an unlimited pass for the cinema and have since tried to see as many films as possible. I can safly say that this is one of the best so far next to Scorcese's "The Departed".

Good performances all round, a good script and overall good pacing make this film never boring. It may be a tad predictable in the 'whos gonna die next' kinda way and the romantic subplot, but the fun is in seeing how it unravels. There are some genuinely funny moments which contrast nicly with some truely horrific ones. It is also very aware that it is a horror film underneath the comedy but nicely bypasses the pitfalls that so many horror films fall into.

The adverts claimed it was 'the best horror comedy since Shaun of the Dead' and there is certainly no lie there. Some people may even prefer this.

Great film

Honestly never laughed so much in my life! This film is just hilarious.. Danny Dyers character makes the film.. You need to see it to believe just how unbelieveably funny it is.. It is somewhat "daft" But thats what makes it great.. Im not usually a fan of comedy horrors but you just need to watch this! Guaranteed laugh out loud film! Xo