Insidious

Insidious

Horror

2011

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 103 minutes

Directed By: James Wan

Starring:  Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey

Rating: 5 out of 10

Outline

Shortly after moving into a new home a family discovers that they may not be the only one inhabiting their new abode.

Review

Insidious was a hot topic for 2011 coming in at number nine on Facebook’s top trends in the States. People love their horror movies and Insidious looked like a sure bet to work. Alas it was not to be as the film seemed to buckle midway through. Director James Wan has been hit or miss in the past with films like Saw and Dead Silence on his resume but he is definitely a pro of the horror genre. He takes the haunted house storyline, one that has been done a hundred times before and made it fresh and exciting. Well for at least half of the film that is. It sort of reminded me of The Amityville Horror blended with the Grudge. The start of the film shows the Lambert family move into a new house and are in the stages of opening all their boxes and setting up. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert played by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne seem quite believable settling into the new house with their three children. The film takes the natural progression of things being misplaced around the house and strange sounds. I must commend the director for the first half of this film. He terrifies the audience with an arrangement of random visions and unearthly voices. In a genre now perpetuated by gore and violence Wan scares the viewer with intelligent scenarios and great musical score accompaniment without the need of gore or blood. Another thing I liked about this film was the characters actually acknowledge something strange is going on in the house and take action. Too many movies nowadays there are disbelieving protagonists that add stupid added conflict for storyline. It is in this action to battle the unknown in the house where the movie breaks apart. The end half of the movie can best be described as a warped Kabuki theatre mixed with the music video Black Hole sun by Blind Melon. I know they needed a conclusion I just didn’t appreciate the story nor the imagery as its wild ride was just awful. I liken this film to skydiving. The start is exhilarating and scary. The middle or freefall is a great time and worth the ride. When you go to pull your shoot however it doesn’t deploy and you are left for the second half of the jump just waiting for the terrible impact. Where after hitting the ground the parachute of course then deploys. Truly this film was great for a while but unfortunately it does not hold up. It is entertaining but I cannot give it my recommendation.

T Factor + If you are a big fan of Japanese horror styled films this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you like blood and gore in your horror this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendation: The Amityville Horror, The Others.