The Cabin in the Woods - Film Review

With us entering October, I really wanted to start getting some horror movie reviews in. I've got more than a few on my list to check out, but this one has always really interested me. I've frequently heard that this is a fantastic film, but the ending was spoiled for me so I was a bit hesitant to go all-in. I'm glad I took the leap finally.

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Where You Can Find It: I checked this one out on Amazon Video where it is currently free to view with an Amazon Prime account.

General Information 
The Cabin in the Woods is a horror comedy film that released on 13 April 2012. It was co-written and directed by Drew Goddard, as well as co-written and produced by Joss Whedon. It was distributed by Lionsgate, who were the driving force for big picture horror films during the 2010s. The film was received fairly positively with a Metascore of 72 and numerous accolades from critics for its fresh spin on the tired slasher genre. Beyond its above-average ratings, it was nominated for several film awards, which is notable as this was Drew Goddard's first time filming as a director.

There's a lot of satire to this film as Joss Whedon wanted to sort of take the film industry to task for its use of increasingly stale tropes in horror movies. He specifically mentioned how horror movies had increasingly dumber protagonists, while he also wanted to show some self-aware criticism to the "torture-porn" genre that was really hitting its stride at that time with the likes of Saw and Hostile.

The Story
A group of stereotypical college students go on vacation to a secluded cabin out in the woods, but their vacation appears to have caught the attention of some shadowy government outfit that has other plans. From a control room, Gary Sitterson (Richard Jenkins) and Steve Hadley (played by Bradley Whitford) use a series of levers and traps to lead the college kids to their doom. It's not immediately explained why Sitterson and Hadley are trying to kill these poor students, but they seem to have plenty of past experience. The thing that terrifies the two lab geeks are not the host of monsters at their disposal, but rather the consequences of what will happen should they fail in their grisly mission.

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Sitterson and Hadley really enjoy their jobs

Like Wes Craven's Scream, I enjoyed the fact that this film applies a self-acknowledging twist to its overall plot. I'd argue that Scream is far better at executing this premise, but this is a very unique movie all-the-same.

Overall, I think the overall plot is solidly done, however my biggest issue is the characters, which is surprising for me to admit since Whedon was heavily involved with this film. On a surface-level, nearly every character works and the movie has tons of personality, but there's no depth. Whedon and Goddard write some fantastically organic dialogue throughout the film, however nearly all of the characters were forgettable.

Special Effects/Atmosphere
There's a ton of CGI in this movie, but it all works for its intended purpose and didn't feel overused. The fact that the cabin was essentially a stage for Sitterson and Hadley makes the setting very unique and I liked the idea of them flipping switches and pulling levers to cause things to happen throughout the vacation spot. Goddard perfectly mimics the classic environs we've all seen countless times in other horror films like Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, and Cabin Fever. I also really enjoyed the blend of practical effects with the CGI that helped bring some of the film's monsters to life. 

The Acting
Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford are probably my favorites of this movie as their snappy dialogue works great and I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two. I've seen both of these guys in tons of B-level roles and they always do a great job.

The college students were nicely cast too, with this being the earliest I've seen Chris Hemsworth in a movie role (filming for this was done before Thor I believe). Kristen Connolly and Anna Hutchinson add further gravitas with me being particularly impressed by Hutchinson as she makes out with a stuffed wolf at one point.

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This is what happens when people mix alcohol with Truth or Dare

There's a surprise reveal of Sigourney Weaver in this too, but she didn't really get much to do in this one. I hate to say this about such a wonderful actress, but am I the only one that thinks she keeps getting work because of Ghostbusters and Alien? I know she can act, but it seems like everything she's been in within the past ten years uses her more for name recognition than for her actual acting chops. Let the lady shine, Hollywood! 

The Best of the Best: That witty banter between Sitterson and Hadley. Those two cubicle jockeys earned their paychecks.

The Worst of the Worst: The ending. I don't want to spoil things, but it was kind of anticlimactic.

Calhooey Score: 6/10 - Above Average

Would I Recommend?

If you're looking for something this Halloween that's not too scary, but gives a unique and fresh twist to the standard genre of attractive college students dying out in the woods, this is a great movie to put on your list. I won't say it's an amazing film, but it definitely deserves the recognition it got when it initially came out.

-------------------------------------------------Spoiler Comments-----------------------------------------------------

• I wasn't a fan of the pheromone gas as a plot device. It made me question why Sitterson and Hadley didn't just shoot all the kids. Don't give me that nonsense that the elder gods wanted to be entertained either. They were apparently fine with Hemsworth dying the way he did, and the federal agents had no qualms with shooting at the survivors.
• Speaking of this, if it's so important that the kids die by monster, wouldn't the elder gods be pissed when Hemsworth splattered against the invisible barrier?
• This is why we can't trust the Swedes...
• That ending bothered me. Good for Mr. Pothead that he didn't get sacrificed, but all that means is that he got to live a few extra seconds before being crushed by a giant arm. 

----------------------------------------------------References--------------------------------------------------

*Amazon. (n.d.). Cabin in the Woods film cover image. Retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/The-Cabin-in-the-Woods/dp/B0081V16TY.   

**Sw33ts. (2018, September 24). Sitterson and Hadley gif. Tenor. Retrieved from: https://tenor.com/view/cabin-in-the-woods-dance-control-room-cool-gif-12574848.

***Wiffles. (n.d.). Anna Hutchinson kissing a wolf gif. WiffleGif. Retrieved from: https://wifflegif.com/gifs/306788-the-cabin-in-the-woods-cabin-in-the-woods-gif.