MOVIE REVIEW: 'THE RUINS'
Human flesh! It's what plants crave!
Corey Craft
Entertainment Editor
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Entertainment
"The Ruins," an uncommonly effective horror-thriller from first-time director Carter Smith, is the only film I have seen in my 21-odd years of life and two-odd years of semi-professional film criticism to ever elicit a physical response from me.
Indeed, there are scenes in "The Ruins" that sent more than one person running from the theater and made me feel nauseous - honest to God, the first time I think that's happened. So, I can't honestly say that I enjoyed "The Ruins" - I'll probably see it again one day, when I'm ready - but that's certainly a testament to its skill at provoking a reaction - after all, that's what horror movies are all about.
Based on the best-selling novel from author Scott Smith (who adapted his book for the screen), "The Ruins" tells the woeful story of four American tourists in Mexico who make a pretty bad decision to visit a supposedly "secret" Mayan ruin not included on any tourist maps.
Most of us would hopefully assume there was a reason for that and let that particular flight of fancy go (and if you wouldn't now, you won't be visiting any secret ruins after you see this movie), but nevertheless our four tourist protagonists, a German tourist they met on a beach (Joe Anderson) and some other guy who isn't alive long enough to make much of an impression take a long hike to the ruins.
Our protagonists arrive at the ruin, a large Mayan pyramid covered in leafy vines, and almost immediately, the sixth guy is killed by a group of angry residents intent on driving the five luckless tourists up onto the pyramid and keeping them there ... in all likelihood, to die. Even more unfortunately, they have limited food, limited water and, oh yeah, something atop the ruins is menacing them.
From here, I don't want to spoil anything. Why would the locals want to prevent them from leaving? I suspect the trailers have already spoiled enough of what "The Ruins" is about - you can guess the "monster," I'm sure. It's not as dumb as it sounds. The "monster" has a pretty low body count, actually.
The true horror comes from the psychological scenario. You are trapped atop a Mayan pyramid. You are thousands of miles away from home. No one speaks your language and even if they did, they wouldn't help you. With your limited supplies, by the time anyone notices something is wrong, you will most likely be dead. And to make things worse, one of your group is seriously, critically injured. What do you do?
What's refreshing about "The Ruins" is that it's difficult to pinpoint any situations, like in most horror movies, where these characters don't act in ways that rational human beings would. Once they get out there, they're put in a nearly impossible situation.
What really sells this movie is the taut direction from Smith (unbelievably confident for a first-time director), some excellent cinematography from the veteran Darius Khondji and some really effective acting. Though Smith's screenplay doesn't give the young cast too much, they play it realistically; you have probably heard of Jena Malone, you would probably recognize Shawn Ashmore and you may not be too familiar with Jonathan Tucker or Laura Ramsey - yet. But all four prove to be a capable ensemble, particularly when the terror builds.
If only the film didn't feel so rushed. It takes its time before reaching the ruins - which is a nice touch. But once there, the situation seems to go by too quickly - particularly the ending. A bit more padding here and there would have slowed things down, given the horrifying moments more time to breathe (and subsequently become more horrifying).
But what's here isn't bad by a long shot. I'm just not sure if I can take it again right now. See this movie in a crowded theater, so you can scream, close your eyes and turn to the guy next to you and comment about how messed up what you're watching is. This is the epitome of a communal film experience.
Critic's rating: *** 1/2 (out of four)
Indeed, there are scenes in "The Ruins" that sent more than one person running from the theater and made me feel nauseous - honest to God, the first time I think that's happened. So, I can't honestly say that I enjoyed "The Ruins" - I'll probably see it again one day, when I'm ready - but that's certainly a testament to its skill at provoking a reaction - after all, that's what horror movies are all about.
Based on the best-selling novel from author Scott Smith (who adapted his book for the screen), "The Ruins" tells the woeful story of four American tourists in Mexico who make a pretty bad decision to visit a supposedly "secret" Mayan ruin not included on any tourist maps.
Most of us would hopefully assume there was a reason for that and let that particular flight of fancy go (and if you wouldn't now, you won't be visiting any secret ruins after you see this movie), but nevertheless our four tourist protagonists, a German tourist they met on a beach (Joe Anderson) and some other guy who isn't alive long enough to make much of an impression take a long hike to the ruins.
Our protagonists arrive at the ruin, a large Mayan pyramid covered in leafy vines, and almost immediately, the sixth guy is killed by a group of angry residents intent on driving the five luckless tourists up onto the pyramid and keeping them there ... in all likelihood, to die. Even more unfortunately, they have limited food, limited water and, oh yeah, something atop the ruins is menacing them.
From here, I don't want to spoil anything. Why would the locals want to prevent them from leaving? I suspect the trailers have already spoiled enough of what "The Ruins" is about - you can guess the "monster," I'm sure. It's not as dumb as it sounds. The "monster" has a pretty low body count, actually.
The true horror comes from the psychological scenario. You are trapped atop a Mayan pyramid. You are thousands of miles away from home. No one speaks your language and even if they did, they wouldn't help you. With your limited supplies, by the time anyone notices something is wrong, you will most likely be dead. And to make things worse, one of your group is seriously, critically injured. What do you do?
What's refreshing about "The Ruins" is that it's difficult to pinpoint any situations, like in most horror movies, where these characters don't act in ways that rational human beings would. Once they get out there, they're put in a nearly impossible situation.
What really sells this movie is the taut direction from Smith (unbelievably confident for a first-time director), some excellent cinematography from the veteran Darius Khondji and some really effective acting. Though Smith's screenplay doesn't give the young cast too much, they play it realistically; you have probably heard of Jena Malone, you would probably recognize Shawn Ashmore and you may not be too familiar with Jonathan Tucker or Laura Ramsey - yet. But all four prove to be a capable ensemble, particularly when the terror builds.
If only the film didn't feel so rushed. It takes its time before reaching the ruins - which is a nice touch. But once there, the situation seems to go by too quickly - particularly the ending. A bit more padding here and there would have slowed things down, given the horrifying moments more time to breathe (and subsequently become more horrifying).
But what's here isn't bad by a long shot. I'm just not sure if I can take it again right now. See this movie in a crowded theater, so you can scream, close your eyes and turn to the guy next to you and comment about how messed up what you're watching is. This is the epitome of a communal film experience.
Critic's rating: *** 1/2 (out of four)
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Maria
posted 4/09/08 @ 1:26 PM CST
Okay. So, this movie came to the theater that I work at. I was really exctied to see it. I kept asking my boss, "Have you figured out if we are getting The Ruins yet?" The day we got it I was pumped! Yup. (Continued…)
Filmenoi
posted 5/09/08 @ 9:35 AM CST
Not being a horror addict, It didn't attract me at first sight. After I read your article, I will give it a chance. Sounds good.
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