David O'ConnellDevil
December 2nd 2010 02:27
You’d be excused for predicting that M. Night Shyamalan’s 'Night Chronicles' might begin with a whimper rather than a bang. After all, the synopsis for people with attention-deficit disorders has been brutally succinct: “A group of people are trapped in an elevator and one of them is The Devil”. How far can such a simple, ridiculous sounding concept be stretched? Well, quite some way apparently, thanks to a proficient screenplay from Brian Nelson (based on Shyamalan’s original story) and impressively slick direction from John Erick Dowdle, whose previous film was the generally impressive [REC] reworking Quarantine (2008), one of the few remakes in film history not completely botched.
It’s not too long before we arrive at the set-up with five diverse characters entering an elevator just before it goes haywire and stops dead between floors. There’s a temp security guard (Bokeem Woodbine), a miserable old bag (Jenny O’Hara), a young woman (Aussie Bojana Novakovic), a smart-arse businessman (Geoffrey Arend) and a rugged, haunted looking guy who doesn’t say much at first (Logan Marshall-Green).
Beyond the confines of the elevator, a detective, Bowden (Chris Messina), is trying to piece together the puzzle of a body that earlier seemed to fall out of the sky, landing atop a truck. Soon he’s called in to take charge of an investigation into what’s happening inside the elevator after a temporary blackout; with power restored the young woman can be seen to have sustained a mysterious back injury.
Focus swivels back and forth from inside the increasingly claustrophobic shell of the elevator to the desperate attempts of Bowden to gather background information on the quartet as the bodies inside begin to mount. Simultaneously he's trying to keep a steady one on them via the security monitors. Who has a motive for paring back the numbers to hone in a specific victim?
Exciting Spanish composer-on-the-rise Fernando Velazquez, who so impressed with his work on The Orphanage (2008), provides a stunningly bold score which, although it might be considered over-the-top, at least ramps up the intensity more than the random collection of synth pad sustains we’re used to hearing in films of this ilk. Not surprisingly the film looks sensational - despite its paltry budget by Hollywood standards - thanks to the polished work of masterful cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, best known for his work over the years with Jonathan Demme, especially The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
One of the security guards, Ramirez (Jacob Vargas), Bowden works alongside in monitoring the goings on provides a needlessly excessive religious angle; his narration may work as a framing device in establishing context in the first instance, but it fails to give the film much in the way of theological depth. As Ramirez tries to inject his own apocalyptic slant on what’s happening, it actually devolves into silliness towards the end. Overall however this is a surprisingly engaging horror film; though it doesn’t climax with the kind of high impact one might hope for, it never outstays its welcome at least, barely trickling past the 80 minute mark.
If Devil (2010) proves anything it’s that Shyamalan needs to continue giving up his children for adoption. When taking the creative reins himself in recent years, his ego and incompetence with directing actors has allowed fatal fissures to ruin his films, running them completely off the rails. Here, placing his ideas in the hands of others, a far more entertaining film results. Ludicrous? Certainly, but a smattering of mild frights keep it ticking over nicely. A guilty pleasure is what this is.
Devil opens in Australian cinemas today.
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Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
"surprised that a film with Shyamalan's name attached to it wasn't a total dog's breakfast"
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
finally got here to comment..soooo many devils to choose from..hehe..
Anyhoo, I didn't want to write a spoiler when I posted as it had not opened, but, really, the SFX were under par by far. The 'image' on screen, then the glimpse in the mirror... much too low tech and no where near as forceful as the Big D should have been...
I was busily 'redirecting' it as I watched, I agree with the everyone too, screw PG, want PG, go make Lassie, not DEVIL!!!
At best, it was competant, but it was a horror drained of its blood and life force.
It gives me even more impetus to write a total blood fest horror number, complete with decapitations and fire engine hose sized spurting blood gushes!
My working title is RIVERS OF BLOOD!
If you wanna join in and write some ideas (remember when I was going to do this with you, JD et al, for a zombie number?) anyhoo, it could be fun; Maybe a UFO causes a time warp thang and opens up a tear in the time/dimension bringing entities from other dimensions to suddenly arrive here on Earth; so zombies, vampires, psychopathic serial killers and a berko military leader having a bad day, a la "Falling Down" all end up in the same city! hehe!
cheers and nice review too old top!
fog
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Cool review
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
I mostly agree with assessment of the shortcomings of Devil, but I've still been defending it on some levels to people. I had fun with it but am certainly under no illusions re: its blatant limitations which the speedy shoot and low budget only served to exacerbate.
That "directing it ourselves as we go along" is something we probably all do!
Jason, I do think it's worth a look for good, slightly scary fun if you're up for a night of that at the cinema. And as I mentioned, at around 80 minutes it's all pretty painless if it doesn't float your boat ultimately. I certainly don't blame anyone from steering clear of Shyamalan's name after The Happening which had some of the worst, wooden acting I've ever seen on film!!