purgatory?

this movie is not likely to win any awards. it is however entertaining enough, well acted, and well filmed. most importantly, there are a few scenes of real creepy/scary moments. something which most horror films fail at entirely.

as far as the script is concerted, the dialog is almost entirely believable and what little doesn't meet muster is hardly worth hanging on. the problem i had with this film and its script, the ending left a lot to be desired. in fact it all built up creepily and violently to what felt like pandering to a positive message. unfortunately it doesn't suit the rest of the film and worse it jumbles the effectiveness of its message by essentially undermining itself. basically, its an anti violence/war message but the only survivor is let loose only after he becomes, himself, a killer. essentially making the case that its ok as long as you kill the right people.

the whole of the story is also a bit annoying. i never like the whole "this is all a dream" or "we were actually dead already the whole time but didn't know it". its rarely done well and this film is no exception. as well, the start-over ending reused a bit of film to the point of being confusing.

in short: a group of soldiers in WWII find themselves in a labyrinth of a trench that they take over from a few remaining enemy soldiers. determined to hold the trench until help arrives they find themselves instead cut off from help and worse something is present in the trenches with them. fearing its enemy soldiers at first, but then it becomes clear something is driving them to turn on each other. their one captured enemy warns them of "evil", but they can't get a plan together to do anything else before they do in fact turn on each other to murderous results. except for the kid, a 16 year old who enlisted as 19, who is too scared to fight and then tries to hold them together.

its not perfect but i guess its worth a watch. i fear most people will be let down enough by the end that i can't recommend it at all.

(6/10)



6/10