Film Review: Wrong Turn (2003)

Plot Summary:
In a throwback to 1970's horror films such as TheTexas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes, Wrong Turn is an independently-made horror film about a group of five youths on a hiking trip in the Appalachians of West Virginia who become prey to a family of cannibalistic mountain men who have become horribly disfigured through generations of in-breeding.

Review:
First off, I would like to thank Eric and his wife Jennifer for turning me on to this relatively unknown film. Secondly, I would like to say...what a rip-off. There is nothing new in this hodge-podge of hacking and slashing. The positive things going for it are as follow: high body count, the ones who should die do, the pretty people live, and a short running time. The movie was a blenderized cross between Deliverance meets the folks of Motel Hell, but without the sex and food by-products.

The film starts off promising enough, but quickly descends into death and mayhem. So, let the killing begin. Peril is waiting behind every nook and cranny as our campers attempt to survive. This was a fun-of-the-mill horror story. Plot is simple enough. Clear lines are drawn between good and evil. And there are some tense scenes throughout. There are no subplots except for maybe the old guy at the bump in the road gas station.

There is nothing new in this film. Despite this malaise, there were some enjoyable parts. Like when the talkative girl gets the axe and the potheads are slain. It's a bit ironic that the potheads will end up with their heads in a pot. For these are cannibals. And it's always dinner time in the mountains of West Virginia. Buffet line is now open, please proceed with caution.

Due to the lack of imagination and weak story line, this film should warrant only a rating of 1. However, I actually enjoyed myself despite these flaws.

Mike's moment of freaking out: Once on vacation in the hills of North Carolina, I set out on a day's journey into the country. I found this state park outside Switzerland which had some waterfalls. I thought it would be nice to see. It was early in the morning on a weekday as I started down this path. Quiet and peaceful it was with nobody anywhere to be found. About a quarter mile in, I stopped. It sure was QUIET and PEACEFUL. A bit too much for my liking and then the "what ifs" set in. Twenty paces later and it was time to turn around and get my city living but out of there. Whew!!! What a trip.

Mike's Rating: 4 out of 10 Bone Appetites w/ Head Cheese (A bit plain, but with some zest)
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence and gore, some language and drug use.
Running Time: 1 hour 24 minutes