There
have been several horror films this year that have impressed, but
ultimately offered little scares and very few tension filled
moments. "Jeepers
Creepers" was a lot better until
the demon became Jerry Lewis. "The
Others" was a
great film until it became a sequel to "The Sixth Sense".
"The Devil's Backbone", a Spanish horror film from miestro
Guillermo Del Torro is the best horror film to hit theaters this
year, and here's why...
The film
is set in Spain during the last days of the Spanish Civil War.
A ten-year-old boy, Carlos, is sent to an orphanage after the death
of his father. While at the orphanage, he experiences strange
things, from the janitor Jacinth and from a strange ghost known as
"the one who sighs". Carlos must uncover the secrets
behind the orphanage before they become real enough to harm him.
This is quality filmmaking from one of Hollywood's greatest suspense
directors. Fernando Tielve is wonderful as Carlos in his first
feature film, and Federico Luppi is sinister and disarming as the
former student turned janitor. Eduardo Noriega brings a touch
of sophistication and experience to an overall virgin cast as
Professor Cesares, and Marisa Peredes should certainly be considered
at Oscar time for her breathtaking performance as Carmen.
Guillermo
Del Torro makes this picture work because of his immense vision as a
director. In "Mimic", one of the greatest sci-fi
films of the past ten years, Del Torro uses creature effects and
stellar performances as a groundwork for his story, which
essentially has great philosophical rooting. "The Devil's
Backbone" is filled with memorable performance, perfectly paced
tension, and outstanding lighting and set design which makes the
film that much creepier. To not nominate this film for Best
Cinematography at the Oscars would be a travesty--but to win,
Guillermo Del Torro would probably also have to get a nod for Best
Director.
Already
being compared to "The
Others", this film will get a bad
rap because of such a comparison. There are few similarities.
"The
Others" was more of a fable and had few tense
sequences, as "The Devil's Backbone" is both a horror film
and a drama about a young boy sent to an orphanage after a terrible
family tragedy. In "The
Others", the ending was not
as shocking as the ending in "The Devil's Backbone", even
though the latter was not a surprise at all. I was fully
impressed with this film and continue to show strong enthusiasm for
the work of Guillermo Del Torro. If you want to get scared, go
see this film. If you want to feel suspense, go see this film.
If you want a good time at the movies, go see this film. Sorry
'bout the subtitles.
-- Billy
Ray (
3 1/2 out of 4 pops )
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