Craven’s second feature follows closely the structure established by his first, in which an extreme, brutal, and largely unmotivated trauma is perpetrated and later avenged with a similar amount of brutality. Craven’s purposive single-mindedness is driven home by the abrupt ending, and the result is both satisfying and unnerving. But it remains unclear to me exactly how cognizant Craven is of the ironies of the film, as the climax is littered with a lot of MacGuyver-ish heroics, funky music, and a particularly valiant canine. These deaden the preceding events of the film somewhat, and one wonders if the jarring, mid-stabbing final shot is simply a way of avoiding having to shoot the protagonists riding victoriously into the sunset.
by Leo Goldsmith | Source: Anchor Bay Entertainment DVD
23 Oct 2006 1:35 PM | Submit Comment