The Cabin In The Woods [DVD]

I'm genuinely shocked at the number of 1-star reviews for this movie. Did you people see the same film I did?
Cabin in the Woods is one of the most original movies I've seen in a long time, tearing up the rule book of horror films. I don't even want to describe the plot to people who haven't seen it, because to know anything about the story is to know too much. Just go in with an open mind and enjoy it.

I'm sitting here reading these 1 star reviews of this film and they are all saying the same thing... "it was predictable" or "there was nothing new about it"... even "I laughed at the direction the film was going in for the sheer stupidity of it". In which case, well done. They are then laughing at the right parts and they are predicting what was made to be predictable - so we can have a wee laugh to ourselves.

The film was made to be predictable in parts because it's both a laugh at and with the horror film genre and it's audience.
It's a very self-aware film. I can understand why people are upset as it is packaged and sold like a generic horror film - which is part of the film's story itself. (I'm trying hard not to give anything away and ruin it). Even the name of the film is in on it - The Cabin In The Woods. C'mon.
The film is entertaining, funny and, to stick to the tradition of horrors, gory. The actors play their parts to a T, and the screenplay - when understanding the films intent - is brilliant.

Ignore the 1 star reviews. They come across like they are from fans of horror/torture porn type films that are upset that it wasn't "Saw XXXXXIV". It baffles me how many people are missing the point.
Watch it with an open mind.

I've somehow become a Joss Whedon completest having seen the vast majority of his output, but if I have a criticism it is that his writing `voice' is sometimes too loud in his work. The recent `Avengers Assemble' showed that combining Whedon's distinct writing style with strong characters is a great mix, but give him too much leeway and you get `Doll House'. A film that nestles between these two projects is `Cabin in the Woods' and it also sits somewhere between them in terms of quality. Fans of Whedon will know instantly that he co-wrote this film, whilst the few who got to the end of `Angel' may even argue that this is a lost script.

On the surface `Cabin' is an atypical teen slasher movie as a group of teenagers visit a remote cabin in the hopes of some good times and not a grisly death. However, this is a film that is all about beneath the surface and what may actually be going on. This meta look at the horror genre has been food and drink to Whedon since the days of `Buffy' and fans of that series and its spin off `Angel' will gain a lot from this film. Those who found these shows a little knowing and self-satisfying may find `Cabin' more annoying than fun.

Director Drew Goddard (also co-writer) has cards up his sleeve that Whedon could only dream of until recently; an increased budget for one and a great cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford. It is a shame then that the scale feels no larger than the TVs shows Whedon worked on. `Serenity' was a film that escaped its small screen roots to be one of the best space operas of the past 10 years, in places `Cabin' feels like it would be better watched on TV. This must come down to Goddard who is unable to lift the scale, too much set based work means the film feels smaller than it is. There is still great fun to be had with the film; it is an interesting premise with some very amusing moments. Fans of Whedon will walk away very happy, others may leave a little confused as to what all the fuss was about.

As the special effects are a little on the ropy side the BluRay is not really needed. The extras include a commentary and a trio of featurettes take a very brief look at making the film.