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Amazon.co.uk Review
Whether you consider plants a source of terror or not will ultimately determine how you feel about the grisly horror movie The Ruins, but director Carter Smith and his cast and crew certainly give their all in bringing the chills of Scott Smith's novel to the big screen. Jena Malone (Saved) and Shawn Ashmore (the X-Men franchise) are the name actors in a pair of American couples down Mexico way who are ambushed by hostile Mayans and forced to the top of an ancient temple, where a monstrous and diabolically clever entity awaits them. Director Smith and his talented crew (which includes cinematographer Darius Khondji of Se7en fame and composer Graeme Revell) create a visually impressive spookshow but can't quite deliver genuine suspense (gore, however, is handled capably), and Scott Smith's script boils away much of the character development and mounting terror in his book, which also strands the likeable cast. The movie's monster, so alarming and imaginative in the original novel, is likely to provoke as many laughs as screams from filmgoers, especially when it reveals its unique talent. --Paul Gaita
Special Features
- Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending
- The Making of The Ruins
- Creeping Death
- Building the Ruins
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary
- Theatrical Trailer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this movie and having not read the book I was surprised to find it to be pretty decent. It starts off just like an original horror movie but shift as you get further into it. The Ruins takes place in Mexico with four college-age kids (Tucker, Malone, Ashmore and Ramsy) and another guy (Anderson), the latter who takes them to a Mayan temple where his brother is working supposedly on a dig. When they get there, a bunch of angry Mexican-Myans attack them, they scurry up to the top of the temple, and are basically quarantined with a host of virulent, monster-type plants and vines, who in typical horror fashion kill them off one by one. That's the basic premise, anyway, and if you know that and have seen the trailer you probably took a guess whether this is up your alley.
The film really came through for me and I was pleased with the outcome. The cast was pretty respectable and I really came to love Stacy's (Laura Ramsey) character in the end. The characters did have their brainless moments at times, but were believable and you could tell they were desperate to get down there. The film has it's shocking moments and those come about halfway throughout the film. There was one scene that stood out and made me at awe.
On the downside of it all I would have loved more character development and transition scenes between the characters. I hear there was a bit more of character development scenes that were cut. Why? Next, I got a very different vibe from the trailer than the actual film. Finally, I'm sure this is the most talked about negative and that would be the ending. It felt rushed and quick. The truth is it could have been so much stronger of a film if it had more of a psychological ending. I was hoping for one thing to happen and something else ended up happening. That's my biggest disappointment for the film.
"The Ruins" do get quite gory and brutal as the teens get infected in various ways and start losing their minds. There's some nudity, too. The story does stay away from some clichés, like a fiery conclusion or the anorexic girl hero who saves everyone by beating the bad guys to death. Perhaps most surprising was the villain of the story aside from that it's a watchable flick.
The film really came through for me and I was pleased with the outcome. The cast was pretty respectable and I really came to love Stacy's (Laura Ramsey) character in the end. The characters did have their brainless moments at times, but were believable and you could tell they were desperate to get down there. The film has it's shocking moments and those come about halfway throughout the film. There was one scene that stood out and made me at awe.
On the downside of it all I would have loved more character development and transition scenes between the characters. I hear there was a bit more of character development scenes that were cut. Why? Next, I got a very different vibe from the trailer than the actual film. Finally, I'm sure this is the most talked about negative and that would be the ending. It felt rushed and quick. The truth is it could have been so much stronger of a film if it had more of a psychological ending. I was hoping for one thing to happen and something else ended up happening. That's my biggest disappointment for the film.
"The Ruins" do get quite gory and brutal as the teens get infected in various ways and start losing their minds. There's some nudity, too. The story does stay away from some clichés, like a fiery conclusion or the anorexic girl hero who saves everyone by beating the bad guys to death. Perhaps most surprising was the villain of the story aside from that it's a watchable flick.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I missed out on seeing this at the cinema which I thought was a shame at the time, but having now seen it in dvd, I would class this as a film to be enjoyed on a sick day or on a rainy saturday/sunday afternoon.
Certainly it's not original- annoying yanks head to Mexico, try to do something different and end up being terrorized by killer plants. Let's face it, how many American actors must there be waiting in the wings prepared to play the same boring role of beefy guy and blond girl, all of whom you realise are destined to die a nasty death. However, that aside, there are some genuinely scary moments in this film and it is the not the turkey other reviewers might have you believe.
But, next time you are in Mexico, if you hear a phone ringing in some ivy, avoid at all costs!
Worth a watch, but rent rather then buy.
Certainly it's not original- annoying yanks head to Mexico, try to do something different and end up being terrorized by killer plants. Let's face it, how many American actors must there be waiting in the wings prepared to play the same boring role of beefy guy and blond girl, all of whom you realise are destined to die a nasty death. However, that aside, there are some genuinely scary moments in this film and it is the not the turkey other reviewers might have you believe.
But, next time you are in Mexico, if you hear a phone ringing in some ivy, avoid at all costs!
Worth a watch, but rent rather then buy.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Hadn't heard of this product when I bought it, but it sounded appealing. This isn't a 5 * film by any stretch but it was certinly better than the average horror film of late. Blu Ray transfer was fine but nothing special.
Special effects were good, and the making of feature was also interesting to watch (not something I generally watch in all honesty)
Special effects were good, and the making of feature was also interesting to watch (not something I generally watch in all honesty)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"..FUN HORROR.."
This is a great horror movie, very original too, its not somebody killing people its something!! an old and guarded ancient secret. once you go to the ruins theres no getting back! Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Drury
The Ruins.
For a low budget film, it is acurally really good, i first saw it on C4 and i was blown away with it, and after that, i had to buy it, its proper creepy and it gets intresting... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Zach D. Boardman
Creepy creepers!
A handful of attractive american students in peril while on vacation in the wilderness. Sound familiar? That's because this is. Read more
Published 7 months ago by sft
Absolute trash.
This film starts out as if it might be quite entertaining but i soon discovered this was not going to be the thrill ride i expected but a load of sillyness involving vines... Read more
Published 8 months ago by movie maniac
the ruins
To me this a refreshing new approach to the horror genre.Several young people holidaying are offered a trip to a Mayan temple deep in the jungle. Read more
Published 8 months ago by king kong
Some Weeding Required
A day trip from hell movie with originality, a good cast and a fair scare content. It's all very unlikely but quite tense and gripping.
Published 9 months ago by Shrewlord
A decent enough horror flick.
I couldn't miss the opportunity to check out this cheap blu-ray. The Ruins was definitely a cheesy horror/gore flick (although I didn't think it was that gory), the plot was a bit... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Puzzle box
Attack of the Killer Plants!
The Ruins is a fairly effective horror film. The main focus is on a group of tourists in Mexico venturing off the map into unknown territory where an archeological dig is taking... Read more
Published 10 months ago by j.r
Not on Par with the Novel
My Thoughts: The novel this film was based on really built up a great story that was surprising, and different from what you'd originally expect. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Dismal Angel
Ruins my chances of a nature trek holiday I might get eaten by vines
This film I actually liked .I was pleasantly surprised how good the young acters where 'SURPRISE YES THEY CAN ACT!. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Barry
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