La Cabane dans les bois

Unimaginable madness, what initially appears to be a routine horror flick, gradually transforms into something incredibly inventive and new. It reminded me the most of the TV series Lost, which was very popular at the time, meaning that if you don’t watch it until the very end, you will either understand nothing at all or very little. Cabin in the Woods is a sophisticated game with the viewer, setting its own rules within the genre and having absolutely no problem with it, something that can definitely not be said about every film in such a trash genre. (07/06/2013)

Horror dreams come true… Honestly, you won’t die of fear, but if you don’t share the relatively widespread senseless conviction that horror should be taken with the utmost seriousness, you are in for a lot of fun. Mixing horror with humour is a tricky thing. I’m not a fan of films labelled “horror comedies”, like Dead Snow or Beetlejuice, because mostly they are effective only in the humour, and I feel that the use of horror properties is a bit of a provocation, like saying “we could have made a great horror movie, but better come in and have a laugh”. The Cabin in the Woods is something else, it’s not a horror comedy proper, but horror that the creators aren’t afraid to spice up with a pinch (or two) of humour and light-heartedness, constantly playing with all sorts of clichés, peeks “behind the curtains” (you’ll understand when you watch it) and an utterly insane and incredibly fun climax that’s total carnage, lasts for about twenty minutes and it’s like a horror fan’s dreams come true. It’s hard to say how those who don’t follow the genre much will appreciate it, but I was thrilled by it and played it again right away. Everybody knew The Cabin in the Woods wouldn’t be your typical ruined trip to the mountains, but it’s not even what I was expecting from the trailer (which I thought was full of spoilers), and that was a pleasant shock. Really great. So far, the best, most original and most fun horror movie of the year, and I can’t recommend it enough. I would spoil it if I said more… Shame on the Czech cinema distribution. - "The evil is defeated. Now Kiko's soul will live in the happy frog!" - "Fuuuuuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!" :-D :-D :-D (15/08/2012)

I've never seen a movie like this and I probably never will again. This is a horror where everything that has always been perceived as “classical horror elements” is turned upside down and you struggle to keep up. Enough said! This is just one of those movies where it’d be a shame to say anything more. Just watch it and then let me know how shocked you were so that more people decide to watch it. I think that should do it. (14/07/2014)

Excellent parody of all the clichés you can only find in horror movies. Admittedly, I wasn't really on board in the beginning and thought it was a load of crap, but then it picked up and gained momentum and I couldn't do anything but cheer for the stoner – he was just awesome. Plus, the ending was actually pretty unexpected and funny, and I was generally very pleased. Probably the best thing I've seen in the genre; too bad about the slow and unexciting start. (19/07/2013)

Joss Whedon is not only a name in Hollywood, but a worldwide phenomenon when it comes to original screenwriting. He is bursting with ideas from every direction, and when he manages to bring something to completion, it is often an event. Or maybe not, because he is also able to fascinatingly kill some ideas. If there is something really interesting about The Cabin in the Woods, it's the concept that combines the good old Lovecraft style with modern teen massacre stories and plenty of horror props, all presented with a sympathetic perspective. The trouble is that The Cabin in the Woods is cluttered, and unfinished, oscillating between several genres, and what it does best, namely comedy, is hardly mentioned. Drew Goddard lacks directorial experience and probably even sufficient cinematic sensitivity to give the film a style, comb through Whedon's ideas, and above all, imprint it with atmosphere. Scenes that are potentially horror-inducing do not evoke fear. Those that could be suspenseful are rushed or wasted. The ironic elements do work, but they could be much more effective - they don't even come close to the best works of Sam Raimi. In the end, the film turned out to be a disappointment, although it cannot be said that it is a complete waste of time. I have no problem watching The Cabin in the Woods once, but I won't go back to it. Overall impression: 55%. (01/12/2013)