Forget the Valet and Park Your Own Vehicle in P2

Business executive Angela works late on Christmas Eve only to find a mugging in the parking lot as her reward. Unable to exit parking lot two Angela becomes the guest of a helpful security guard who attempts to start her broken down car. Although, being kind and polite Tom the security guard has a dark side that erupts into anger when Sarah rejects his advances (Internet).

Rating: Restricted for strong violence/gore terror and language.

Release Date: November 9, 2007.

Starring: Wes Bentley, Rachel Nichols, Simon Reynolds, Philip Akin, Stephanie Moore, and Miranda Edwards.

Director: Franck Khalfoun.

Writers: Alexandre Aja, and Gregory Levasseur.

Alexandre Aja, the director of "Mirrors," comes up with another brilliant thriller in the form of "P2," which takes the stalker plot line to new heights. Starting off with an old X-mas tune and transitioning to a great initial scare "P2," grabs your attention and holds on with a death grip. The writing of the film is clever and allows actors Wes Bentley and Rachel Nichols the room to deliver realistic portrayals of their characters while throwing in surprising twists into the story, especially in the early scenes. The acting of Wes Bentley is particularly strong as he delivers the loneliness of Thomas the night security guard in a brutally graphic way.

Set almost exclusively in an underground parking lot "P2," traps the main characters in the basement of an office building and likely will captivate horror enthusiasts. There are several jump scares early in the film with a screaming woman exiting the trunk of a vehicle and an instance where the main female character uses her cell phone to light her way only to be taken from behind by a crazy stalker. Very light on characters "P2," creates an intimate horror experience.

"P2," could have been taken into much darker territory; however, writer Alexandre Aja chose to go for an unoriginal gender role reversal where the antagonist briefly becomes the protagonist late in the picture. There have been several recent films where the prey, often a woman becomes the hunter i.e. "While She Was Out," and "Hostel II," come to mind. In order to create a complete ending the villain gets his just deserts in "P2," while the female victim or chasee goes on with her life with little to no character development. Very simple and unsatisfying this type of closed ending is disappointing here. An open ending where the resolution of the film is left up to the viewer would have made "P2," a more enjoyable film.

One other original creation within "P2," is the multi-dimensional aspects of the character of Thomas. Appearing genial, and nice initially the depravity of Wes Bentley's character comes through with aggression and a protectiveness for Rachel, the object of his desire. The different negative and positive traits of Thomas stir up ambivalent emotions ranging from pity, to hatred and even deep understanding. Well written with an excellent portrayal from Wes Bentley "P2," delivers one of the better villains in 2008.

Full of shocking scares, interesting chase sequences, and tense standoffs "P2," delivers an enjoyable tale that will stick with many viewers. Already, on DVD this feature must be seen by as many curious horror fans as possible. Probably one of the most underrated thrillers from 2007 "P2," deserves a wider audience than it is currently drawing.

A trailer for "P2," (Warning: most of the plot is being shown in this trailer):



Sources:

P2 at IMDB

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Posted in: 2007,alexandre aja,franck khalfoun,gregory levasseur,horror,movie,p2,rachel nichols,review,thriller,trailer,wes bentley