La hora fría (2006)
7/10
Amazing and interesting Spanish Sci-Fi , crammed with thrills , chills , action and unsettling scenes
15 April 2015
"The Dark Hour" deals with a group of people formed by eight survivors of an apocalyptical war , all of them are living into a rotten underground surrounded by strange creatures . They cannot leave the complex and they live in an usual state of vigilance . The misfit bunch is constantly in situation of control , as they are besieged by the contaminated mutants who spread a deadly virus and the Strangers , some invisible as well as menacing beings . The older people attempt the children learn about life by teaching them . They try to rehabilitate children who feel no pain or distress . But the food supplies are running out and they are physically suffering and urgently need medicines and weapons , so that they must leave the secure area . What lurks outside the small area they inhabit, however, is so threatening that they dare not even speak of it . Mankind's fate is sealed . There's a final quote during the end credits: "I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds," from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, as said by J. Robert Oppenheimer after the first nuclear test detonation in Los Alamos.

Spanish Sci-Fi/horror film set in a dystopian world full of thrills , suspense , chills and creepy twists and turns . ¨La Hora Fria¨ or ¨The cold hour¨ weaves a fantastic story , about a group of eight people searching for whatever thing necessary for his survival . As they live isolated in crumbling installations , the group is finely performed by Silke , Julio Periñan , Omar Muñoz and special mention for veteran Pepo Oliva as a lonely old man . This scary , bizarre film contains tension , thriller drama , mystery , plot twists and shocks , including decent scares with tense terror sequences especially in its final part , in a creepy as well as amazing denouement . A low budget Spanish production with a timeline that spans through a few days , it is a thriller that begins introducing the varied characters and goes on through until a surprising final . ¨La Hora Fria¨ suffers from some sputtering about a quarter of the way in , the sputtering came from an unique scenario, away from spectacular set pieces and toward a very sad story line , one which suffers from some slow-moving scenes and claustrophobic atmosphere . Interesting screenplay by the same director revolving the mental disintegration of a diverse group and the various amazing surprises they find . The motion picture is pretty well , although sometimes deliberate pacing and packs a lot of turns ; however is entertaining for continuous suspense and intriguing as well as shady atmosphere . The picture is thrilling and some moment brilliant, and the players are quite reliable . Ghastly movie builds taut by showing virtually well staged set pieces , appropriately sinister settings , enjoyable soundtrack and gloomy cinematography . Few disagree that the film is professionally mounted , the performances solid , and that it respectfully carries on the tradition and borrowing several elements of Spanish "horror" films . Furthermore , ¨La Hora Fria¨ takes parts here and there from known films such as ¨Omega man¨, ¨Dark city¨ , ¨28 weeks later¨ , ¨day of the dead¨ , among others .

Rousing as well as disturbing musical score by Alfons Conde , a good composer expert on dark atmospheres such as he proved in "Blind Alley" or ¨El Callejon¨ , ¨Viento En Contra¨, ¨Abandoned¨, and ¨Nodo¨or "The Haunting", the latter also directed by Quiroga . Adequate cinematography by Angel Fernández who creates an unique atmosphere , he's Pedro Almodovar's regular cameraman , as he photographed "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" , ¨Matador¨, ¨La Ley Del Deseo¨ . This is a motion picture displaying genuine chills , suspense, mystery and dark atmosphere and twisted finale , being skillfully proceeded by Elio Quiroga and turned out to one of the most unusual Spanish thrilling movies of 2006 and certainly one of the most unsettling . Quiroga is a good director and writer, known for ¨Fotos¨ , ¨Nodo¨ and this his most successful film , ¨La Hora Fria¨ ; he also directed shorts and documentary .
5 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed