GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Movie Review: Chernobyl Diaries | I Smell Sheep

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Sheep Movie Review: Chernobyl Diaries

Chernobyl Diaries (2012)
Horror: released 5/24/2012
Directed by Bradley Parker

"A group of six young vacationers who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an "extreme" tour guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago. During their exploration, they soon discover they are not alone."

This movie takes place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster site where, in 1986, approximately 45,000 people were evacuated within 3 days after the Nuclear explosions, but don’t forget the 100,000 + others that were living within 30 kilometers of the radiation site. It was considered one of the worst nuclear power plant accidents in history and still stands untouched after all these years.

I'll admit I went into this movie with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised, not saying I loved it, but it wasn't a total let down. When the movie starts we're introduced to 4 strapping 20 somethings (Natalie, Amanda, Chris, and Paul) and they're in Europe visiting the wild, carefree brother Paul. They're set to go to Moscow (compared to where they end up going....they should have stuck with Moscow) and it is there Chris wants to propose to Natalie. From this point on there are so many freaking flags that even Bill Engvall got tired of handing out the signs to all the parties involved. I had to suspend my belief that people were really this ignorant to the warning signs, but it's a horror movie so I suppose bad decisions are a MUST.

Before the "tour" starts two other young hippies join them and they load into the van and away they go on what will be the worst vacation ever. They're stopped at the gate leading to Chernobyl and not allowed in due to maintenance (by now this is like the 4th sign of *go back!*) and of course Paul wants his tour damnit! So Uri the tour guide has other means to access the area, in which they pass, oh like 3 other signs of "shouldn't be here!".

The movie stayed true to the mood of the setting and you really got a sense of the creepiness of the whole disaster and how everything was left untouched when everyone disappeared. I'm a sucker for abandoned, dilapidated buildings so I really loved the scenery and the beauty of its creepiness and character. This horror movie is more about having the horror part off camera, so for those who are squeamish worry not, there's barely any gore. As for the actors I thought they did pretty well with the material given to them, if anything they've all got their crying and screaming down! Especially that Zoe, she's got a blood curdling scream.

The movie is decently paced and I really enjoyed the last 10 minutes (not just because it was ending) where they threw in a nice little twist that tied it all together. The ending is grim and really, as a horror fan, I prefer it that way.

So with that said I give Chernobyl Diaries 3 mutant sheep heads
.

guest reviewer Bunni Darling




6 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Not a fan of horror and gore, since you say there is not much gore, then I could probably handle this one. Thanks for the great review.

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    1. my teenager wants to see it. I will probably go with her, maybe...

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  3. Yeah there's barely any blood/gore on screen, there are a couple times the camera pans around to a dead body or two . You sense when they're about to show you something "disturbing" so if anything you can close your eyes haha I think your daughter might enjoy it.

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  4. I love Horror movies, love them. So I know I'll be seeing this when I get a chance. Thanks for the review.

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  5. this movie sucked. there was no "twist". there is hardly any blood. all the kills are off screen. there are no "diaries". stay away from this flick.

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