High Tension

[Brian in Mesa]

High Tension

Release Date: June 10, 2005
Studio: Lions Gate Films
Director: Alexandre Aja
Screenwriter: Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur
Genre: Horror, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for graphic bloody killings, terror, sexual content and language)
Website: High Tension

Starring: Cécile De France, Maïwenn Le Besco, Philippe Nahon, Franck Khalfoun, Andrei Finti, Oana Pellea, Marco Claudiu Pascu, Jean-Claude de Goros, Bogdan Uritescu, Gabriel Spahiu

Plot Summary: The film centers on two teen girls who settle in for a relaxing weekend at a country farmhouse, unaware that a violent intruder is speeding toward them to transform their dreams into a relentless, bloody nightmare.

 

[mdamien13]

This has generated some great reviews from film festivals around the world. It was originally going to be released in its intact, NC-17 cut but Lion's Gate made the necessary trims for an "R" to get it wide release. From what I've heard, it's supposed to revolutionize what a slasher film can be (although most reports indicate the ending suffers)

The only thing I'm worried about is that it's a French film, but they went with dubbing instead of subtitles. Could be distracting.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Trailer's been on tv a lot lately. Looks intense.

Here's another poster...

 

[Chaplin]

Looking forward to this.

Unfortunately, it's a German (or French, not sure) movie, DUBBED into English.

 

[mdamien13]

Took the gf to go see this yesterday. I hope she doesn't break up with me

I'd have a hard time recommending this to anybody. It's a French film that was dubbed, and while the director had this huge interview in the L.A. Times talking about how exhaustive the process was cause he didn't want it to look cheesy, it still comes across about as well as the old Japanese Toho films.

The first hour or so of the film is pretty incredible. The director stages action very well and everyone in the audience was squirming in their seats. Then the twist ending comes at the end and it makes absolutely no sense. The twist leaves plot holes you could drive a truck through. I won't be seeing this again, but I can say that if you know the twist, the movie will make absolutely no sense while watching it.

Also, this is a BRUTAL movie, with incredibly realistic violence and great effects. The acting is good, the direction is outstanding, the score is wonderful, it's just too bad that the crappy dubbing and the twist ending completely nullified everything positive about this movie.

 

[phillycard]

OMG, this movie went from "ok this is half decent" to "my lord what a piece of crap!" in about 30 seconds. WTF does not even begin to describe the reaction I had after seeing the "plot twist". Avoid at all costs.