Frontière(s) (2007)

Saturday, 13 June 2009 00:00

Reviewed by Carol Sullivan

Genre: Thriller, Horror
ON DVD: May 13, 2008
Rating: Unrated

Director: Xavier Gens
Starring: Karina Testa, Aurélien Wiik, Patrick Ligardes, Samuel Le Bihan, Estelle Lefébure
Studio: LionsGate

Now, my fellow horror fans, it may sound odd, but I assure you it is true; I have been looking for the movie Frontier(s) since its DVD release last year. I had happily purchased all of the 2007 After Dark, Eight Films to Die For, yet I couldn't believe that Frontier(s) was nowhere to be found. After a good bit of time had gone by and I had actually forgotten about it altogether, I happened to stumble across it, waiting patiently on an obscure shelf in Best Buy this week. I scooped it up immediately...

This French shocker begins as we journey to France where political upheaval and riots rule the cities. Bands of young people thumb their nose at the authorities and their imposed curfews; robbing and burning to make a statement.

We meet one such band of young thugs, whose big dollar heist has just gone awry and members have either been arrested or shot. The small group of survivors decides to flee to the Frontier to hide out for awhile; agreeing to meet up later and divvy up the booty. But, what they do not know is that the humble inn that they have chosen to lam-up in is run by a neo-Nazi family; hell-bent on continuing Hitler's dream of the perfect race.

Easy enough, right? Just leave, you say? Not so fast... See, this family has developed a taste for human flesh and you'll either join them for dinner, or you'll be dinner...

I was pleasantly surprised by Frontier(s); while it is gory as hell and meant to alarm and shock, it actually has a good story line to go with it. Certainly makes you stop and wonder if any of Hitler's cronies could still be out there, hoping for their shot at glory.

Writer/Director Xavier Gens did seem to have a little trouble with getting the shaky filming of the first 1/2 of the film under control, but it takes off nicely after that point. A nice job of acting is done by all, creating some frightening and believable scenes. The Father of the family standing at the head of the dinner table, dressed in his freshly-pressed Nazi regalia, spouting a Hitler-esque speech on their future as a pure race was disturbing and so well done that it gave me the shivers.

Though it does have a Texas Chainsaw Massacre feel to it, Frontier(s) brings an interesting story line to balance out the gore and shocks. (This movie was actually banned in Thailand for its violence, folks!)

I think that Frontier(s) is definitely a worthy rental and/or purchase.

Overall Rating: 3 1/2

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Last Updated ( Saturday, 13 June 2009 15:30 )