gryffinmaster

Saw The Descent at a midnight showing and ... holy freakin' coconuts, this film was outstanding. You're given a good story at the beginning, provided with some ample time to break into the atmosphere, and then starts the rollercoaster ride once the rocks hit the fan and you're taken deeper into the earth. I would have liked just a smidge more character development with a few of the characters (Juno, Sarah, and Holly were all crafted well, but the sisters and Beth seemed a little thin). In general, the characters were great, though.

I have to definitely send major kudos to Marshall and the prod. crew behind this flick for (a) the cinematography, and (b) the creation of the creatures. For being a horror story about being trapped in a cave, this is one beautifully illustrated film. The rock formations, the rushing of the cave water, the initial terrain shots rolling up to the site, and the crawl-space scenes were all superb. I felt like I was in that cavern. And the cave-dwelling baddies were a frantic riot to see in action.

I am still trying to decide which ending I prefer as well. Both have their positives.
None the less, this is one of the most breath-taking and thrilling films I've seen - period.

Bring on the seamless-branch DVD with both endings. But from my experience, I can definitely recommend seeing this in the huge open-aired theaters.

RichC2

Erm..

monkeyboy

Hmm, I don't remember the 2nd knockout, but I'll take your word for it.

Seantn

Yeah, but... everything was not 'alright'.

Bill Geiger

I watched this a few weeks ago. I bought the R2 2 Disc. The movie had, for me at least, 2 moments that made me jump. One of them was within the first 5 minutes. Aside from that, I didn't find it particularly scary at all. Also, the action really doesn't start to get good until about an hour in I would say. There was quite a lot of build up.

Was I entertained? I suppose, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it the best horror movie. Again, that is just me. It takes a lot to scare me.

Out of 4 stars, I give it 2 1/2.

AndyCleveland

Just saw this last night.

I LOVED the U.S. ending and didn't at all like the UK ending.

Excellent movie, great story build-up; mostly believable cave scenes (even though none of it was shot in any caves)... a few moments of bad cgi/blue screen, but not a HUGE deal.

The monsters were great. Didn't look cheesy at all.

I'd give it an A-

gryffinmaster

More commentary can be found in DVD Stalk's The Descent Thread.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and am still in the process of deciding which ending I prefer. I'd definitely give The Descent a grade somewhere in the A- range as well, because the ending (for both releases) needed to be a tad tighter in my eyes. Both are very good conclusions, but it seems like the UK ending and the tone of the US version could be re-edited together to make a more cohesive ending.

clemente

Saw it last night and loved it! I had heard so many positive notes about the movie both from the geeks and from the mainstream critics that I was worried I might be in for a serious disappointment, but no, the movie still kicked major ass.

It does take a while to build, but how is that a bad thing? Remember when you were forced to actually care about characters in movies because you got to know them? I liken the movie to combing the first half of Alien, with the second half of Aliens.

Easily the best horror movie in the past several years (IMO). As for the ending, I checked out the UK version after I saw the movie and I like the US version better. Despite what the UK version has to say about the , it feels like it invalidates everything you've seen. The US ending is a different kind of bleak, which is more satisying.

Patman

I had a good time with this film as it's got plenty of adventurous gals and a scary cavern expedition. The cast is good, and the twists and turns make for some good horror footage. I was happy to see Shauna MacDonald (Sarah) because I remembered her from her role on Spooks (MI-5 in the US) as Sam, she turned in a good performance.

If you enjoy the horror genre, this film is right up your alley.

I give it 3 stars, or a grade of B.

vhgong

I thought it was a well made movie and definately worth my time and money. Unfortunately.....i think more effort could have put into coming out with a better ending.

Phod

So what happens in the US cut ending exactly? I've seen the UK version.

thx.

Rypro 525

read the blacked out portions.

TomOpus

Saw it and really liked it.

Not sure I was real happy with the very final shot when she sits back down in her seat. Seemed cheap compared to the rest of the movie. No biggie, though. I'll still buy the DVD.

daddydaryl

The UK ending doesn't "invalidate everything you've seen" but only the preceeding couple of minutes. I was glad to have an "unhappy ending" to a relatively "unhappy" movie....... to me, it made it more realistic, as ironic as that may seem....

clemente

I didn't interprete the ending the US version has as "happy". I would argue that the UK version is actually happier.



Despite what anyone says, there's no definate answer on this one - you prefer the one you prefer (likely the one you saw first).

Phod

I did and none describe "exactly" the US cut ending. I can probably guess it based on the discussion but I was looking for a more precise answer.

TomOpus

Is that what you were looking for?

freshticles

Just got back from 'C.h.u.d. in a Cave' and I must say, I was thoroughly disappointed. Here's my intereratation of what I saw. Plays like Chud, sounds like Predator, and looks like Bat-Dracula from KEanu Reeve's Dracula. Bad acting, cheap scares and no boobs made this completely unwatchable. Plus the animated (not cg mind you) bats made me laugh and the blood pool was ridiculous, not to mention the nipple-less female chud. Avoid at all cost!!

vhgong

Its the ending....so watch it at your own risks.

Found the UK ending on YouTube....i think its much better than the US one.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mcKHtY6eE0


US ending here.....(last 10mins though)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJgAj8HbVs

Geofferson

Saw a late show of this last night and enjoyed it quite a bit. For a horror flick, it fired on all cylinders.

Chet Desmond

So is the only difference between the US and original version is she wakes up and is still in the cave instead of in the truck? Can't get the clip to download.

TomOpus

Those are both the non-us ending. The bottom one starts further back so it's longer (and it's mis-labeled as the US ending)

Defiant1

Saw it tonight and really enjoyed it. The trailer ruined the biggest scare moment in the movie for me though so I would really recommend not watching the trailer.

I think I'm becoming desensitized to horror movies though. Although enjoyable, I can't say I was really scared by The Descent.

Zodiac_Speaking

Finally a horror film that lived up to the hype. Great natural scares and good gore.
The only thing that was it's flaw, was its subplot of one character's dead family-it didn't really add anyting to the film overall.

Grade: B+

hongkongdvd

I disagree with your opinion that the subplot of the dead husband & daughter is useless. It made sense that Sarah turns into psycho woman killing all the monsters. She is a person with nothing left to lose. A person with nothing left to lose IS the most dangerous person. Sarah loses her family, her friends, and lastly her mind.

I see this horror film not only as monsters in a cave, but a study on how a normal woman can turn from loving mother/wife into insane murderer.