| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
B |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
B |
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| Visuals: |
B |
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Thrills, Chills, and... Spills?
by Ryan (movies profile)
Jun 14, 2008
87
of
101 people found this review helpful
Most will unfortunately disregard 1408 as just another horror movie and even more will probably write it off for not being rated-R. After all, considering how dumbed down the American audience is when it comes to appreciating a horror film that is of 1408's caliber it comes as no surprise that films like Hostel or Saw end up receiving more attention and undeserved praise. But alas, the minority of those that excel with a good taste must persist under incredibly dull veil that is the majority of American horror.
It should already be known that 1408 is about a hotel room and those that go to see it should know prior that the room is infamous for boasting a death toll of fifty-six people, none of which apparently lasted for more than an hour before they committed to some form of suicide or "natural death." John Cusack ends up playing one of his most mature characters to date in the form of Mike Enslin. Trekking across the country, Mike Enslin is a broken man in search of answers that would possibly end up explaining whether or not there is life after death. Trial and error nearly becomes the focus as we witness Enslin's disappointments and even more so, we begin to realize just how distraught for clues he really is. Receiving an anonymous post-card in the mail stating "Do not enter 1408." however re-peaks his interest in the quest for the paranormal and eventually--and this is after Samuel L. Jackson is introduced, albeit his presence and star power is slightly pointless--Enslin ends up in the room that claimed so many lives.
Naturally of course, we're given a proper setup of things to come and at first, the room comes off as something completely menacing if not creepy in some regard (ironically stated by Cusack as he inspects the room). However, once Enslin becomes settled, things begin to hit the fan and as a result, we're plunged into a terrifying trip that includes paranoia and the concept of insanity. The film also boasts a frustrating if not curious method of forcing the audience in figuring out whether or not Enslin has finally gone insane or whether or not this is all really happening to him. Needless to say, there can only be one man (er... room?) standing in the end and suffice it to say, 1408 isn't going to let it's reputation become tainted without a fight.
Hopefully, this film will be recognized as a horror movie with brains as well as one with an actual interest within its story. Wishful thinking is an all too common tendency nowadays though, but luckily for me (and for you if you happen to come across this review) I had the privilege of witnessing a horror movie that finally stands on its own feet without having to utilize excessive amounts of gore or violence in order to reach an audience. |
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