Maggie

Story: A teenage girl (Abigail Breslin) becomes infected, during her transformation her loving father (Arnold Schwarzenegger) stays by her side.

One can say that zombie movies can never be good movies, but over the past few years I think people should change their tune. Back in 2013 we got what was thought to be a disaster turned out to be an extremely, entertaining blockbuster. The film I am referring to is the Brad Pitt staring vehicle World War Z. An amazing, entertaining blockbuster from the director of Quantum of Solace. While it had its issues (PG-13 seemed forced) it was still a fun ride.

Now, a different type of zombie film has come around, and it is a masterwork. While the film with Brad Pitt was an energetic, action romp, the Arnold staring vehicle is a slow burn of the eventual infection of a loved one.

Its great to see Arnold (The Terminator) stretch his acting chops and do a film where he is really restrained in the action department. He stars as a father who must deal with the aftermath of his daughter's infection. His daughter is played by the amazingly talented Abigail from Little Miss. Sunshine. She has grown into an amazing actress and goes toe to toe with Arnold. Their chemistry is extremely strong and that is a huge plus with a film like this.

 And here is the big surprise, the film is also rated PG-13. The difference here though is that its not forced. While in WWZ there were moments that needed the gore effect, here its all natural. They don't end up in a corner where they have to show gore, much like World War Z kept doing. When Maggie chops her finger off, we see blood, we see the finger all bent out of shape. In World War Z, we cut away from a woman's hand being chopped off. PG-13 ratings can be pushed, the only limit would be explicit language, intense gore (zombie chewing), etc. What also should be said is the zombies in Maggie are by far the most horrifying creations you will ever see. You will have nightmares after seeing some of the dead creatures seen here.

A scene I refer to is when Arnold has to kill his infected neighbour and his daughter. The effects and detail are so realistic and life like it is truly horrifying. The little girl was also a terrifying sight to see. It just proves that if you are told to make a PG-13 horror movie, it doesn't mean you have to lessen the mood. PG-13 has a good long limitation, you can push the rating pretty far. I was surprised to see the film was rated PG-13 as I firmly felt it was an R-rated picture, that is how good the director worked within the rating to create a film with such a dark and unsettling mood. However, he does provide the film with a very heartfelt ending that will most certainly earn both a tear and a cheer.

Maggie is a true horror masterpiece that retains what I feel is a must in horror movies of this type need, showing the humanity of its characters and what they go through during such harsh times. The film felt real, it pulled at your heart strings and made you really care for these characters. Arnold is by far the best part of the film as here he puts everything into it, he really got into the role. With him and Abigail and the unique portrayal of its zombie inhabitants Maggie feels more like a real zombie film than any that have come before.

Rating - A+

Insidious Chapter 3 Review

James Wan and Leigh Whannell started a horror franchise that I have come to really enjoy, the insidious series. Its becoming unique in its take on ghosts, paranormal activity and PG-13 horror. Never has there been a more creepier franchise than Insidious. 

The first film, titled simply Insidious, was the start of this horror franchise and brought the spookiness of PG-13 horror and ghosts back to cinemas with startling success. While the sequel was less than original, it still filled you with a sense of dread and terror. The latest chapter is probably the best one out of the two follow-ups as it matches the first film in originality and depth. 

Chapter 3 tells the story of a girl (Quinn Brenner) who wishes to speak to her mother, concerning unanswered questions. She goes to the psychic Elise (played once again by Lin Shaye) in order to make contact, but since loosing her husband to suicide Elise has decided to discontinue her psychic readings. She further tells Quinn to no longer try and contact her mother on her own and leave it to another professional. 

With the stress of school, her family, and a future career in acting, Quinn tries contacting her mother again in hopes of reaching her, but sadly, as things go sometimes, someone else reached out to her. A new ghostly apportion nick-named the face breather and played by the actor who played Sloth in Se7en. This villainous ghost is by far the most intriguing ghost in this franchise and finally is the most terrifying. Even Elise has trouble confronting this dark spirit, who pricks at her own emotions at one point. 

Insidious 3 is by far the best chapter in this franchise as it develops new and old characters alike to give us a very emotional undercurrent throughout the film where each character is at risk (either physically or mentally) Elise especially goes through a hard path of becoming a psychic again and as such seeks out an old friend of hers for advice. Steve Coulter makes his return to the franchise as psychic Carl to push Elise to help the people who can't help themselves, especially in situations such as this. 

I did think for a time that Tucker and Specs would not be in the movie, or at least Specs (played by the amazing Leigh Whannell) as he has taken over directing duties this time round. I was wrong as the film also develops the growth of the two high-tech nerd ghost explorers to become the famous ones we know from the last two films. 

As for Leigh's direction, he does a super fantastic job and even tops the last film in every manner. I mean, he was the writer and creator of the complete franchise and he really digs into the mythology this time out. We also get some ghostly surprises from the past. One being the initial frightener with the red face and then the eerie woman dressed for a funeral. 

I enjoyed this instalment because it is essentially a perfect reboot to what could have become an age old franchise. Leigh Whannell breathed new life into the series with this third instalment. I very much enjoyed the development of the characters and the slight references to some of the great horror films, such as The Exorcist and Poltergeist. 

Insidious Chapter 3 is an essential instalment and a must watch for any fan who was slightly disappointed by the first sequel. With strong direction, nifty scares, some solid acting and a very sinister and spooky villain, Chapter 3 earns its medal for being just as good as the first film, even topping it in certain places. 

Rating: A-