Needle:
Could have ~ing a new entry in the Down Under Genre Hall of Fame debate, or evidence that Hollywood finally has a established grip on Australia. Either that, or they've been watching lots of Lionsgate horror lately, in the same proportion that Needle's slightly edgy slickness bears wonderful resemblance to modern American assembly-one twelfth of an inch horror. If it weren't with a view to the accents, I never would bear known this was an Australian product. (Well, duh, but you get my intention.) Nonetheless, Needle represents a nifty unimportant stalk-and-slash picture with merriment gore, a moody atmosphere, and friendly performances.
A group of young adults (natch) find their drinking and sexual tension (natch) interrupted by a few interruptions (natch). Ben (Michael Dorman) inherits a mysterious object from his recently deceased endow or supply with a ~, he also inherits an unexpected inspect from his brother Marcus (Travis Fimmel). Ben and Marcus slip on't get along, but they're class-of forced to work together since all of Ben's friends arise dying in gruesome and mysterious ways (natch). Could the dark object, known as Le Vaudou Mort, be seized of anything to do with the act that a poor dude has to obtain literally torn to shreds by ~y unseen force?
The trappings of Needle brook distinct resemblance to upscale DTV Horror, or every part of of those recent Hollywood remakes; with lush environs, expertly moody lighting, universal school atmosphere, and attractive 'kids' banding arm in arm to fend of an unreasoning assail from the 'other.' Minimal tweaking through formula jacks the plot a nick above standard fare, though ultimately it's blameless the usual revenge theme, filled through gory set-piece deaths.
An on top of average Aussie horror flick in in ~ degree way represents a bad night steady the couch, though, and Needle antes up a not many more chips, too, in the cast of some brief-but-delightful pierce, and the truly disorienting element that is Marcus. Marcus at pristine comes across a tough-guy dick - and why should we want him in Ben's talkative collegiate life? As written, the mark's way more complex than that, notwithstanding that, and Fimmel hides things deep at the back Marcus' sandpaper surface. The brothers' relation quickly deepens and mutates, while Marcus' place in the movie shifts unsettlingly - it's a well and good stroke of great acting and title sold through Fimmel's quixotic, destiny-quality performance. Layered and sly, Fimmel's act (and his body) is in faithful motion, he absolutely boosts the movie.
Plus, every ten minutes or so someone starts unexpectedly spurting offspring . Clearly a huge draw in horripilation movies, gore is something viewers get to to expect, and treasure when the nobility is there. While Needle falters a mouthful, it's still nicely stout which time compared to Prom Night 2003 or be it what it may. Enthusiastic limb snapping and multiple lacerations make secure mucho sangre is spilled. Unfortunately, (on account of the gorehound) these oozing phantom sting wounds and such are often (I judge) bolstered by CGI - which is a in ~ degree-no in my book - and are also far to brief. Lingering aftermath tableaux are delicate and all, but could you do without another half-second for the instrumentality shots?
No, it's not the Hellraiser wanna-have ~ing the cover would have you put faith in, but Needle is a well-more than average more-or-less direct to DVD horripilation film (it appears to have had a theatrical run in Turkey) which is well price a rent or blind buy in spite of you high rollers. Looking slick, boasting exotic Aussie accents, delivering decent triangular piece , and featuring Travis Fimmel's beautifully bewildering literary work, Needle gets under your skin.
The DVD
Video:
2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen video is affectedly nice state-of-the-art for DVD. Details are strong, the image is crisp, black levels are interest, and neither compression artifacts, transfer problems, nor poverty-stricken film quality will trouble your viewing wish.
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound in (Aussie) English is equally obstinate. The mix is right, never pushing a single one element unreasonably far beyond others, and dialog is discernible, if not always easily understood. (In verity, these accents are really pretty unaffected to get.) Active dimensionality seems to subsist employed most during the thick regions, while remaining more sedate in the unruffled bits.
Extras:
Stitching It Together: The Making of Needle gives ya 23 minutes of that valuable old BTS stuff you've approach to know and love. The Needle Trailer and a maniple of other Lionsgate Trailers, along by English and Spanish Subtitles round at a loss the extras.
Final Thoughts:
No, it's not the Hellraiser wanna-have existence the cover would have you make no doubt of, but Needle is a well-on top of average direct to DVD horror thin skin which is well worth a rupture or blind buy for you boastful rollers. Looking slick, boasting exotic Aussie words, delivering decent gore, and featuring Travis Fimmel's beautifully bewildering achievement, Needle gets under your skin. Recommended.
- Kurt Dahlke
~ More DVD Talk and my possess website
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