Kam: I really don’t know what to make of this film. I think I liked it but not fully. It was on the cusp of being really good but was let down by some weird moments which I for one didn’t like but think I may have missed the point as most reviews and feedback have been very positive from the reviewers that I trust.
It’s been labelled as a
Feminist Horror film but I don’t really agree with that. Just because it has a
female lead character and was directed by two women doesn’t make it feminist in
theme.
The plot is quite similar
to other non-feminist revenge horror films in all honesty. Horrible thing
happens to female character, female character goes about getting revenge in a
bloody and gruesome way. Female character is hot and plays up to typical male
views of hotness with choice of costume.
I don’t really buy into
the women feeling empowered by wearing high heels and tight dresses because
rather than empowering them, I think this plays into the image that men have
created for how they want women to look and dress and Mary I think definitely
plays into this as her costume is more on the fetish side of sexy (just look at
the posters or DVD cover) but maybe I think about stuff like this too much.
As far as the revenge
theme, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo did something similar in a minor plot
point within the overall story but that to me was better done from a feminist
point of view.
If I ignore the above
issues then its fine. I just didn’t like the ending.
In a nutshell- If you
want shells on your nuts, Mary can probably do that for you.
Hannah:
I was pleasantly surprised by this.
Looking at the DVD cover
I was dreading watching it. But if you accept the terrible acting and pretty
stupid story line then its alright. Near the end it feels like they weren't sure
where to take it, but I thought the ending itself was perfect.
I agree with Kam about it not really being empowering for women at all. Unless feminism just means you have the power to manipulate men...
I was a bit disappointed by the lack of any gore or shocks at
all. Or maybe my mind has become deadened to all the horrors of the world.
*weeps*
Score:
