The movie had interesting premise and began with a nice atmosphere that could have pushed it up the horror quotient by itself.
However, all that is spoilt by the lighting or lack of it. I know some fans here are trying to defend this by saying it was deliberate. But hey, if I cannot make out what is going on for more than half the movie, deliberate or not, what is the point of watching such a movie? Several times through the fare, I wondered if the print was bad. But every time there was daylight, the pictures were bright and clear. So, the print was actually really good.
The moment Nick starts climbing up the island, I was unable to understand where he was going or what exactly happened to him. By the sounds, I realised he was dead.
When I saw the two figures hanging, I thought they were Nick and Eric. Yet, Eric came back alive. That's when I realised it was Donna and the other guy. The lighting was SO poor.
As far as the monster was concerned, I couldn't see his face ever in the movie.
I also disagree with the "intent" of "deliberate" darkness in a horror movie. True horror in a movie should come from the events in the movie. Yes, yes, there are the "atmospheric" horror movies and this one probably tries to be one. The background score's (pun intended) in this direction. But due to the darkness, horror gives way to curiosity in trying to find out what exactly is going on.
However, all that is spoilt by the lighting or lack of it. I know some fans here are trying to defend this by saying it was deliberate. But hey, if I cannot make out what is going on for more than half the movie, deliberate or not, what is the point of watching such a movie? Several times through the fare, I wondered if the print was bad. But every time there was daylight, the pictures were bright and clear. So, the print was actually really good.
The moment Nick starts climbing up the island, I was unable to understand where he was going or what exactly happened to him. By the sounds, I realised he was dead.
When I saw the two figures hanging, I thought they were Nick and Eric. Yet, Eric came back alive. That's when I realised it was Donna and the other guy. The lighting was SO poor.
As far as the monster was concerned, I couldn't see his face ever in the movie.
I also disagree with the "intent" of "deliberate" darkness in a horror movie. True horror in a movie should come from the events in the movie. Yes, yes, there are the "atmospheric" horror movies and this one probably tries to be one. The background score's (pun intended) in this direction. But due to the darkness, horror gives way to curiosity in trying to find out what exactly is going on.