Movie Autopsy: The Ruins

To start on a constructive note, this film did have some good potential. The mythology of South America is rarely used in film and there are many fascinating legends involving such groups as the Mayan, Inca, and Aztec civilizations.

The premise that a group of scientists would accidentally uncover something malevolent is plausible. Everyone knows many areas of South America are relatively unexplored.

Now that the positives have been established, it's time to look at the film. The Ruins ruined me.

Just like many other American horror films, the movie progresses far too slow to sustain real interest. For some reason, American filmmakers in the horror industry want at least 1/3 of the initial story to be back story or establishing something that is truly needless. This is when it is imperative to "grab" the audience.

Also, just like American movies, the film takes forever to be remotely "frightening." By that time, the viewer has became vegetated. There is absolutely no "grab you by the throat" beginning.

Another quality that stood out in the movie is the needless gore. Instead of building suspense we were given gore. Gore, gore, gore. To phrase an old coin, "Gore = Bore."

The filmmakers spent so much time showing simple 1980s gore, the plot went downhill quickly. The characters are stereotypical college kids doing stereotypical college things. Yada-yada-yada. There is nothing particularly memorable or interesting about them.

One of the missed opportunities would be to portray characters in a unique and interesting way. These filmmakers seem to be so engrossed with their own youth and inexperience that the majority of characters they are creating have those same traits.

Lastly, a note on the villains. Plants are to blame for it all. It REALLY lost its effectiveness when that was revealed. There are also a tribe of primitive peoples who won't let the characters off the pyramid. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Unfortunately, the movie leaves it open for a sequel. Please don't.

For another review, look here.