Reviewed by Carol Sullivan
Genre: Horror
ON DVD: April 14, 2009
Rating: R for violence/gore and language
Director: Toby Wilkins
Starring: Shea Whigham, Paulo Costanzo, Jill Wagner, Rachel Kerbs
Studio: Magnet Releasing
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Every fellow horror-fan should be able to envision the inevitable mayhem this equation brings to mind: Take 3 people + 1 gas station + 1 nasty monster = a gore-packed thrill-ride. Sounds good, right? Well, it is !
Splinter, actually has an interesting premiere story; one that had many a viewer confused for a time, including myself. (I tried, in vain, to find a showing of it in a local theater at its release.) Turns out that this small, independent film company wanted to put Splinter in front of as many viewers as possible. So, while it was still in theaters, it became available as a pay-per-view movie in select areas.
What the heck? you ask.
Soon after, the Sci-Fi channel scooped it up; playing a highly-edited version for even more viewers to see. The result of the filmmakers' multi-viewer plan was a success; it created controversy and demand. I am guilty of being one of those people clamoring to see it...
Splinter begins as a loving couple, Seth (Paulo Costanzo) and Polly (Jill Wagner) have decided to fore-go their woodsy camping plans; some poorly written pup-tent directions have quickly convinced them that their anniversary would be more enjoyable in an air-conditioned and cable-ready hotel room. Setting out, down a lonely, empty road (of course) they are flagged down by a young, help-less looking woman. Being in the middle of nowhere, naturally they stop to help her. But, this woman is not alone...
Within seconds, a scruffy and desperate escaped convict is pulling the young couple from their car at gun-point, demanding that he and his drug-addicted girlfriend be driven...well, anywhere.
Terrified and realizing a cozy hotel room is not in their future, the couple drive on, trying not to get shot in the process. But, when the car overheats, they reluctantly coast into a remote gas-station... And something dark, terrifying and hungry is waiting for them...
When I think of Splinter, which I watched only yesterday, my foremost thoughts are 'That was intense!' and the ever-popular 'Holy Crap, that was cool!'
Now I understand why this movie won a half a dozen coveted Screamfest awards, including Best Picture. I have not seen a critter-flick this hard-core, this smart or this scary in many years; let me just say that I had to pause the DVD and walk away, for a minute, about half-way through; I needed to collect myself!
Some viewers and jaded critics have scolded this movie for a number of things; mostly its shaky filming; but I found that the filming style added to the fear level. Ian Shorr and Kai Barry have written an clever story, with thought and purpose, and the Creature Effects, by Quantum Creation FX, are heart-stopping. The viscous monster, that these talented folks have created, gives a noticeable nod to John Carpenter's The Thing, but as it is done so well, here, I have to give them credit. The Splinter creature's 'ticks' and 'clicks' and bone-snaps will make your skin crawl, make you turn on all the lights and make you want to hide under your bed...I do not believe that the intelligent movie-viewer needs to see the creature up close, in every scene, in slow-motion, to be terrified.
Nicely directed by Toby Wilkins (The Grudge 3) and delivering some top-notch acting, Splinter is a tight, clever, and totally entertaining hard-core horror flick. As always, dear viewer, I won't ruin the ending for you, but they do leave hope for a sequel.
While not for the queasy or faint of heart, Splinter is one of the coolest critter-flicks I have seen in a long while. And be sure to check-out all of the monstrous extras on the DVD. They are well worth seeing, for an insider's look.
If you have a taste for a gruesome, terrifying and wild thrill-ride of a movie, then Splinter is a movie you absolutely must rent, or buy, immediately. Personally, I love well-crafted critter flicks and bought it immediately!
Definitely recommended as a rental and/or purchase.
Overall Rating: 4
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