Invitation (2003 Video) User Reviews

One of the worst horror movies ever!

[Justin-Fog · 2/10 · 31 January 2006]

This is one of the worst horror movies I ever saw! It lacks everything an good horror movie should have - atmosphere, effects, good actors, humor, slasher scenes, gore and graphic sex. There's nothing! The only reason I gave the movie two points is that there are a few good looking girls - but that's it. The story is terrible and rips off from all kinds of much better horror films. The actors try to do their best with this bad script and the terrible directing but a bunch of gorgeous girls can't make a terrible film good. I've seldom seen worse - but lots of times I've seen much better. It's not worth the money and a waste of time to watch. Jasper P. Morgan

Cute girls, mediocre visuals, variable effects, bad acting, even worse camera-work

[Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki · 4/10 · 31 March 2008]

A group of college-aged guys and girls get together for a reunion at a secluded house by a lake. When they get there, they're greeted by an over acting bald giant (who walks like he's had a wedgie for the past five years) The clichéd old bat shows up to warn them to leave at once, this goes ignored as the groups splits up and starts rambling about marriages and drinking and novelty songs. Midnight swimming in a sauna masquerading as a lake leads to murder by a babe wearing weird contact lenses, as creepy little kids turn up and start scaring them, and eventually causing their gruesome demise, possibly all as payback for a tragedy in their past many years earlier, it's never really explained. Along the way, their are numerous references to earlier and better horrors: the aforementioned old crone is planted in the ground and run over with a mulcher, a la Motel Hell, immediately followed by a reference to Friday the 13th part 2, etc. The variable effects run the gamut from being eerie (some of the photography and settings in the woods at night, and the music score) to merely cheap shocks (seizure-inducing strobe lights, Marilyn Manson contact lenses, and fog machines working overtime indoors and out)

There might actually have been something here, had the movie not been made on poverty row, and maybe with a tighter pacing at the end, it could have been a fun little B movie. But what we're left with is a mish mash of ideas and variable effects, mostly filmed though wide angle lens causing considerable distortion, intermingled with eye candy in sexy, short little Tricia Lyn Scott (as the rather smug Violet) and Tiffany Shepis lookalike Ryann Davey (as Melina). It's really not that bad, but it's nothing to recommend either, it could have been a lot more fun.

Skip the first half

[gacsogergely · 3/10 · 30 March 2022]

The first half is entirely pointless filler-fluff. None cares. All the ghost-stuff is in the second half, and you won't miss a beat if you skip the first. Taking only the remaining part., I'd even call it 5/10.

Also: EPILEPSY WARNING.for the first and last 5 minutes!

Not a bad film

[drosz22 · 20 May 2005]

this is not a bad little film. i am always curious of Michigan filmmakers stuff, and support them by renting or, as in this case, buying the film. it had a good momentum and great foundational plot, but it gets a little "lost" on the way. Jeff Burton is a real nice guy and he knows how to sell his stuff at conventions. i hear the premiers are a lot of fun. i was expecting a little more here though. the killings are not what they are built up to be, and the "dead" actors mostly run around with contact lenses and that is it... kind of a let down. its worth a look-see though if you want a good Saturday night beer and pizza movie. there is a nice little philly in the movie named Kristina Novak that i would like to see more of in upcoming productions. hire her back on, Jeff!

Cheap Thrills

[CHUDtheBUD · 1/10 · 9 May 2005]

Dimestore supernatural "revenge" flick that rips off The Shining, Stir Of Echoes, Blair Witch 2 and Sleepaway Camp 3. Even though Invitation was shot on video, but editing and sound effects are extremely well done. I guess that is where all the money went ... Oh yeah ... what else has this film to offer? There's some brief nudity but not much gore. Acting is kind of lame but not really bad enough to make fun of. You also get one or two attempts of a jump scare and one death scene that stands out (more or less), which was stolen from Sleepaway Camp 3.

A little more entertaining cheese and blood and Invitation would have been much more fun to watch.

spend your dollar on a whopper Jr...it'll be more satisfying

[omarsongs · 2/10 · 1 October 2006]

it could have had a better story. it could have had a better director. it could have had better actors. it could have had a point of being made it could have actual be interesting... i gave it two stars because I'm sure they meant well. i don't think they intended to make crap. blame the budget and the filmographer blame the production company.but from first frame you automatic regret spending your dollar plus tax you paid for this dollar bin trash. but remember why you never buy movies you never heard of especially ones that don't have scenes from the movie on the back of the case...don't waste your dollar buy a whopper Jr. it'll be more satisfying.

Invitation is a film about eight former school friends who are mysteriously summoned to a reunion.

[jetsetter00 · 7/10 · 3 September 2008]

Years earlier this same group of friends were party to the death of the creepy neighbourhood fat kid after allowing him to join in a game of baseball with them. Invitation is not an original premise; however,the tension created in the early scenes where the 'invitations' are being mysteriously delivered bodes well and keeps you intrigued enough to want to know how and what exactly is going to happen at the reunion. It's a low budget film but well shot - quite haunting in places - and with good effects sprinkled throughout. There is the obligatory eye candy and enough nudity to keep those that want elements of these in their horror films satisfied and the setting of the lodge in the woods is eerie throughout. Its an easy film to watch and pass away a Saturday night and the very clever and unexpected twist at the end makes you feel it was worth watching.

Jeff Burton has outdone hisself yet again

[chrismulkeyisgod · 6/10 · 20 December 2006]

At first, during the credits, I thought that the movie was called "In Itation"--I almost stormed back to Hollywood Video to demand my 1.99 back. But then the V appeared with Jeff Burton's name, and then I knew I was in for quality. The movie begins with friends being delivered mysterious letters mysteriously. There is a haunting theme that ties these scenes together--genius. This could have been a film in and of itself. There is a lot of good scenes with the smart Aleck character--for example, him trying to eat a sandwich. The friends are lost out in the woods and it is a scary movie because you don't know who is on who's side--one thing I do know though is that it felt very realistic. Something similar actually happened to me a few years ago (which is why I'm in a wheelchair now). I think it is sad that the girl got an abortion in the end. If I could have driven over a foggy and dangerous Louisiana Bridge I would have--to save the child. But unfortunately fate took even more mysterious twists than what could have ever been expected... Can anyone tell me if Chris Mulkey is in this movie? I thought that he might be related to Jeff Burton because of the quality--but I haven't been able to verify this yet. The quality of directing, especially towards the end, was really haunting; felt realistic. Cinematography. When I die, I want to hang out in the house with the children because they look like they need a friend (I can tell this because killing people who are nearby to you when you die is obviously just a cry for help).

Weekend Getaway...

[azathothpwiggins · 10 February 2022]

INVITATION is a low-low-budget horror film. It looks cheap, with that shot-on-video "soap opera" appearance. Despite its obvious limitations, it's semi-creepy, mysterious, and entertaining enough for a viewing.

The rural lodge setting with its bizarre caretaker and potential victims is nice and compact.

The one complaint would be the length of this movie. It could easily lose about 15-20 minutes and be much tighter and effective...