The Ruins (2008)

Réalisateur:

Carter Smith

Writers (WGA):

Scott B. Smith (screenplay)
Scott B. Smith (novel)

Release Date:

4 avril 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Accroche:

Terror has evolved.

Plot:

A group of friends whose leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for the worse when they, along with a fellow tourist embark on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins.

Plot Keywords:

Mercy Killing | Death Of Boyfriend | Guilt | Dancing | Loss Of Brother

Awards:

1 nomination

Avis des utilisateurs:

Not great, but something different

Ensemble

Jonathan Tucker	...	Jeff McIntire
Jena Malone	...	Amy
Laura Ramsey	...	Stacy
Shawn Ashmore	...	Eric
Joe Anderson	...	Mathias
Sergio Calderón	...	Lead Mayan
Jesse Ramirez	...	Mayan Bowman
Balder Moreno	...	Mayan Horseman
Dimitri Baveas	...	Dimitri
Patricio Almeida Rodriguez	...	Taxi Driver
Mario Jurado	...	Mayan Archer
Luis Antonio Ramos	...	Mayan Rifleman #1 (as Luis Ramos)
Walter Quispe	...	Mayan Rifleman #2
Pauline Whyman	...	Wailing Woman
Nathan Vega	...	Mayan Boy

Autre(s) titre(s) :

Ruines, Les (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and gruesome images, language, some sexuality and nudity.

Durée:

USA:91 min

Pays:

Australia | USA

Langue:

Anglais | Maya | Espagnol

Couleur:

Couleur

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Son:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Classification:

Australia:MA | Finland:K-13 | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (certificate #44170) | Norway:15 | UK:18 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | South Africa:16LV | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Italy:VM14 | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | France:-12 | Germany:16 (f)

Emplacements De Pelliculage:

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Company:

BenderSpink

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The rope for the descent into the ruins changes lengths.

Guillemet:

[first lines]
Archeologist #2: Help me!

Connexions De Film:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ashton Kutcher/Gnarls Barkley (#33.10)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Mexico Mi Amor

Not great, but something different

Are you as tired of seeing remakes and movies about the undead as I am? Well then here's something a little different. Not original, but a change of pace. I haven't read the book, but the trailer looked good and so did the cast list. Plus instead of young people being done in one by by zombies, vampires, or a masked slasher it's a variation on the old man vs. nature idea, something not seen much recently and certainly not with so much blood and gore.

Pros: A talented and likable young cast. The scenery is lush and beautiful, as is the cinematography. Instead of just jumping right into the horror, the filmmakers try to create suspense and a little build-up. Moves at a pretty good pace. Plenty of moments and images that'll make you cringe. Impressive gore and make-up effects, and plenty of the former. A good and subtle score that sounds like a creepy rumbling sound at times.

Cons: As good as the actors are, the characters they play are pretty underwritten, which makes it hard to really get to know them. The CGI is pretty poor. There's really nothing we haven't already seen before. Sometimes the characters do really stupid things. A few cheap boo scares.

Final thoughts: Not likely to be the best horror film of the year, but you could do much worse. It's nice to see a horror film that isn't so flashy, teen-friendly, and devoid of suspense, which is exactly what the remake of 'Prom Night,' which hit theatres a week after this, looks like. But I know you hardcore horror buffs know better than that.

My rating: 3.5/5