Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Sept 16, 2005 15:36:22 GMT -5
Plot:Owen Matthews has been kicked out of more prep schools than most kids even knew existed. But when he arrives on the campus of his latest stamping grounds, he's prepared to turn everything around -- that is, until he meets the irresistible Dodger Allen, an enthralling ingenue who lives to play games. When a young woman is found murdered near campus, Owen, Dodger and their friends decide to further scare their classmates by spreading online rumors that a serial killer called "the Wolf" is on the loose. By describing the Wolf's next victims, the students' game is to see how many people they can convince -- and if anyone will uncover the lie. But when the described victims actually do start turning up dead, Owen and Dodger are dragged into a harrowing cat-and-mouse game, in which lies and truth melt into one.
Cast:
Julian Morris
Lindy Booth
Jared Padalecki
Jon Bon Jovi
My Thoughts:Interesting tale that still falls short
Review:"Cry Wolf" is another one of those movies that I went into with tons of ideas of what could and would happen but what I hoped wouldn't happen was exactly what happened.When a troubled kid named Owen Matthews shows up at a new prep school,hes immediately welcomed by the schools cream of the rich kids crop which includes some very good looking ladies one of which being Dodger Allen aka the Shepard,whos played by Lindy Booth .They talk him into playing a lying game.The object of the game,manipulate your friends,destroy your enemies,and always lie.Of course when you mix rich teens and a game of this type,you're always going to get the big T-R-O-U-B-L-E somewhere along the line.Although Owens never played the game the other kids have so to spice things up a bit they decide to play with the whole school by creating a fake killer and connecting him to a previous murder which acts as the opening scene of the film.As interesting as this film sounded most of the early parts are spent exploring the potential romance between Dodger and Owen and getting to know the group of kids while their little lie spreads around campus. There aren't any really great moments in this movie where you can look back and say that scene where *this happened* was awesome.Honestly,this movie moves at a very steady pace making sure not to spill too much blood or give too many scares.In fact speaking of scares there aren't any, and most of what you see of the killer in the tv ads is from an imagination scene in the campus library.When "Cry Wolf" finally starts to take off it comes in the ever so over-advertised IM scenes where Owen and Tom recieve mysterious IMs from someone using the identity of the killer they created.This movie felt like one big advertisement for AOL instant messenger and cellphones.I mean they're both frikkin everywhere in this movie.In fact I just recently checked the mail today after seeing this movie and recieved an AOL free trial disc...weird huh? But seriously the IM scenes are as scary as this movie gets.If you're looking to be really scared shitless at any point in this movie then don't waste your money because you won't be.There are a few scenes which have potential and promise to lead up to something but they never do.It's a shame because I really wanted to like this movie and looked for some reasons to do so.Even when our friend 'The Wolf' steps from behind his computer and decides to start playing the game for real the scenes are only remotely enjoyable and lack suspense or any full blown excitement. Now the big question surrounding this movie was whether or not theres really a killer and it's basically a yes and no answer.But the killer is not the main focus of this story and theres a much larger conspiracy taking place and that is where I found my one thing to like about this movie.The big reveal at the end is quite brilliant when the film backtracks to all the dialogue spoken by one character in particular and connects it with the films climax.For all of the cheap scares,lack of real suspense,spotty action scenes,and lack of blood and gore,the big twist ending makes this a break even film for me despite the generic motives involved.A very well written film is "Cry Wolf" but the downside and overall sad part of it all is the fact that they couldn't surround all of this great writing with any strong horror elements.Thus it's a great teen thriller but far short of being an actual horror movie.
Pros:The twist ending,somewhat likeable characters,good looking women,pretty good acting from everyone except Jared Paledecki.Honestly I was hoping he'd get offed.
Cons:Lack of everything that makes a horror film a horror film.The PG-13 rating strikes again in ruining what could've been a great slasher flick.
Overall:You'll like this movie if you're going in expecting a teen thriller with some new wrinkles in the overall design.If you're expecting carnage horror movie style,forget it.