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If you read my Juan of the Dead review, then you probably not only have an idea of how much I love horror films but also how much I thrive for originality and creativity in the genre. Something unique is so hard to come by anymore. It's as if Hollywood is afraid of taking risks. They'd rather remake something well-known to try and capitalize on a well-known name or franchise than go forward with something completely fresh and new because it might bomb. It makes sense on one hand, but for somebody who sees one hundred films a year or more it becomes kind of tiresome. You begin to make the most with what you have in front of you. If only a horror film could come along and be clever, original, pay homage, and offer something new for horror. That's exactly what you get with The Cabin in the Woods.

Curt (Chris Hemsworth) plans on taking his girlfriend Jules (Anna Hutchison) and his friends to his cousin's cabin. There's the new recruit to the football team Holden (Jesse Williams), the paranoid stoner Marty (Fran Kranz), and Jules friend Dana (Kristen Connolly) who is kind of on the fence of whether or not she'll enjoy herself on the trip. Everything seems to be progressing in typical horror movie fashion even up to the cellar door slamming open in the middle of their festivities. But something more sinister is going on; something that will put the lives of these five friends on the line.

The Cabin in the Woods is a horror film that is incredibly special. If you're a fan of anything by Joss Whedon and/or Drew Goddard, then you should have a small idea of what you're in for. The entire film can be spoiled in as little as one sentence or even a few words, so don't let anyone spoil it for you. The humor is sharp witted much like most of Whedon's work. The Marty character is especially hilarious. The film is so aware of the horror films it borrows from and pays tribute to and it makes fun of that fact whenever it starts to go down a similar path. It's kind of like the concept of Scream only smarter.

It's when the college students make their way down into the cellar is when things get legendary; a bold word to use perhaps but the film earns it on more than one occasion. That's all you're getting out of me as far as the storyline is concerned. This is one instance of mindblowing that deserves every opportunity to surprise and excite you. The score is just as extravagant as the film, as well. When it first begins, it's subtle and creepy. It's slow rising and a lot like what you'd expect a horror movie score to be. As things pick up though, the score becomes more triumphant and blaring. Everything is so loud and screams to be seen and heard on the best sound and video devices you can get your hands on.

The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II are the films you'll hear this compared to the most, but there were shades of Friday the 13th in there as well. The blood and gore deliver in spades, especially in the final act. You practically feel like buckets of blood have been dumped directly into your lap by the time Trent Reznor is screaming at you during the ending credits. But let's talk about that final act for a moment. You have an idea of where the film is going leading up to that point. The Cabin in the Woods is telling this story from two different angles and you think you have everything figured out. But then that one scene happens. If you've seen the film, you know exactly what I'm talking about; where everything hits the fan. My jaw was on the floor and I had goosebumps all over my body. This is why I go to the movies. This is why I love horror; to experience something like this.

The Cabin in the Woods doesn't reinvent the horror genre, but it does completely manipulate it in a way that is just so freaking spectacular that you won't know what to do with yourself. If this was the last horror movie to ever grace the silver screen I would be completely content with that. The full-length horror movie era can begin with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari in 1920 and end with The Cabin in the Woods in 2012, as far as I'm concerned. My brain was turned inside out and I was never so happy to have that sensation after viewing a film. Brilliant, terrifying, and fantastically imaginative, The Cabin in the Woods makes you feel like your brain explodes during its duration and you're left piecing it back together like Humpty Dumpty after the credits. Sensational doesn't even begin to describe how superb this film really is.

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With geek god Joss Whedon (creator of TV's Buffy and Firefly among other fan favorites) on board, it's fair to say that the expectations for "The Cabin in the Woods" were quite high for enthusiasts of the horror genre. Here he shares a writing credit with the film's director Drew Goddard and the result is one of the year's more entertaining experiments. I truly think that this is a film that will suffer due to those that are willing to discuss too many of the plot points in advance, so I'll be brief in my actual descriptions. I will say this, though, the less you know about the movie--the more fun you can have. In my opinion, even the advertising campaign and trailers hint at too much. You know from the start that this isn't your typical fright fest. Instead, what is served plays up and skewers every horror movie cliche imaginable. It is both hip and witty, as well as smarter than it has any right to be. It twists movie conventions around in clever new ways and makes something that seems remarkably fresh and different. And if you're a fan of horror movies, this is simply fun, fun, fun.

Of course, we all know the genre of movies that involve a cabin in the woods (or other appropriately desolate place). Let's get a car full of kids, strand them, and then start picking them off in increasingly creative ways. At the start, that's exactly the scenario that "The Cabin in the Woods" sets up. We meet five standard character archetypes for these type of films: the jock (Chris Hemsworth), the stoner (Fran Kranz), the good girl (Kristen Connolly), the vixen (Anna Hutchison) , and the scholar (Jesse Williams). After a brief bit of character introduction, we're off to the woods. As they settle in, each rises to their individual stereotype. First there's drunken revelry, then there's the discovery of a very spooky basement, and then mayhem ensues. What's going on and can anyone survive? If you've seen the trailers, however, (and if not, this is also included as the first scenes in the movie) you know that there is something more complex at work behind the scenes. But that's all you get from me. Let's just say that the film turns into a post-modern game as much as a traditional horror endeavor.

The film really works on several levels. It's funny without being overly precious. It always knowingly involves the audience in its sense of gamesmanship. The fact that we have more information than the characters (but not everything, of course) makes us complicit in an enjoyable voyeuristic experience. And yet, there are plenty of scares and surprises in store. "The Cabin in the Woods" has relatively moderate goals, it just wants to put on a good show. The ending pushes quite far and is deliriously over-the-top. It may not stand up to much intellectual scrutiny, but I didn't care. I was just along for the ride. This may not necessarily be considered among the "best" movies of the year, but it is easily one of the more entertaining ones. And in that way, Whedon and Goddard have honored horror movie fans everywhere. For sheer entertainment, about 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 5/12.

Bonus Features Include:

Commentary with writer/director Drew Goddard & writer/producer Joss Whedon

"We Are Not Who We Are: Making The Cabin in the Woods" Documentary

"The Secret Secret Stash" Featurette with "Marty's Stash" & "Hi, My name is Joss and I'll be your guide"

Wonder-Con appearance with Whedon and Goddard

"An Army of Nightmares: Make-Up & Animatronic Effects" featurette

"Primal Terror: Visual Effects" featurette

"It's Not What You Think: The Cabin in the Woods" Bonus View Mode (For Blu-ray Only)

Best Deals for The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

With geek god Joss Whedon (creator of TV's Buffy and Firefly among other fan favorites) on board, it's fair to say that the expectations for "The Cabin in the Woods" were quite high for enthusiasts of the horror genre. Here he shares a writing credit with the film's director Drew Goddard and the result is one of the year's more entertaining experiments. I truly think that this is a film that will suffer due to those that are willing to discuss too many of the plot points in advance, so I'll be brief in my actual descriptions. I will say this, though, the less you know about the movie--the more fun you can have. In my opinion, even the advertising campaign and trailers hint at too much. You know from the start that this isn't your typical fright fest. Instead, what is served plays up and skewers every horror movie cliche imaginable. It is both hip and witty, as well as smarter than it has any right to be. It twists movie conventions around in clever new ways and makes something that seems remarkably fresh and different. And if you're a fan of horror movies, this is simply fun, fun, fun.

Of course, we all know the genre of movies that involve a cabin in the woods (or other appropriately desolate place). Let's get a car full of kids, strand them, and then start picking them off in increasingly creative ways. At the start, that's exactly the scenario that "The Cabin in the Woods" sets up. We meet five standard character archetypes for these type of films: the jock (Chris Hemsworth), the stoner (Fran Kranz), the good girl (Kristen Connolly), the vixen (Anna Hutchison) , and the scholar (Jesse Williams). After a brief bit of character introduction, we're off to the woods. As they settle in, each rises to their individual stereotype. First there's drunken revelry, then there's the discovery of a very spooky basement, and then mayhem ensues. What's going on and can anyone survive? If you've seen the trailers, however, (and if not, this is also included as the first scenes in the movie) you know that there is something more complex at work behind the scenes. But that's all you get from me. Let's just say that the film turns into a post-modern game as much as a traditional horror endeavor.

The film really works on several levels. It's funny without being overly precious. It always knowingly involves the audience in its sense of gamesmanship. The fact that we have more information than the characters (but not everything, of course) makes us complicit in an enjoyable voyeuristic experience. And yet, there are plenty of scares and surprises in store. "The Cabin in the Woods" has relatively moderate goals, it just wants to put on a good show. The ending pushes quite far and is deliriously over-the-top. It may not stand up to much intellectual scrutiny, but I didn't care. I was just along for the ride. This may not necessarily be considered among the "best" movies of the year, but it is easily one of the more entertaining ones. And in that way, Whedon and Goddard have honored horror movie fans everywhere. For sheer entertainment, about 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 5/12.

Honest reviews on The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

I can't believe some people are giving this movie a 1..even 2's. Hello!? This movie was amazing. Probably one of the most original, UNPREDICIBLE movies I've seen in a really long time(And I've seen many). Its funny that people are saying this movie is predictable and boring because there's no way you can guess whats going to happen. Its never been done before. Its funny, gory, and you'll probably jump a few times without this movie being cheesy or stupid. Not too scary, but the unique-ness of this story makes up for it. definately go see it!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

I read some other reviews, and can't believe how so many missed the homage to practically everything that's gone before. Joss Whedon is a master, in my eyes, and I have no end of admiration. Director Drew Goddard took Whedon's script, and with a game cast, presented one of the most original "old" scenarios I've seen in many years. It starts out as a parody of The Evil Dead and The Truman Show, but goes off into the unimaginable mind of Joss Whedon, as only he could dream up. It's not a slasher film, as many reviewers were expecting, but rather a tale of survival and redemption, done with style and loads of humor.

I don't know what else to say without giving things away, but I was highly entertained...and satisfied. All said, it's an homage of all that went before, and a preview of some original material to come (hopefully).