Friday, March 27, 2009

Shuttle: A Movie Review


Writer of 2007s "Flawless," Edward Anderson sits in the director's chair for the first time in horror film "Shuttle," a 2008 SXSW movie entry, which is now pushing forward with an April 7, 2009 DVD release date. Light on scares or gore "Shuttle," utilizes a character reveal at midpoint to add a twist where one is usually found in the ending and an intensity chills throughout. Not bowing to conventional story development Anderson finds his stride in this 106 minute tightly written thriller.

Beginning with good friends Mel (Peyton List) and Jules (Cameron Goodman) returning from a southern holiday these two comely girls quickly flirt, then entice Seth (James Snyder) and Matt (Dave Power) to join them in a cheap airport shuttle ride. Pretty boy and wanton ladies man, Seth engrosses himself with bubbly, blonde Jules while laidback, complainer Matt warms to Mel, a recent dumpee from a previous cheating fiancé. Add in one neurotic, businessman, with shifty eyes and this shuttle is all set to wander the seediest neighbourhoods of South Boston.

The absence of pedestrians and traffic early signals that this is a good place to disfinger, face-slash and generally torture these young twenty-somethings. Later, the anonymous shuttle driver delivers, with an emotionless, utilitarian approach to life brutal deaths inside and outside the bus. This maniac gets some late help from one of the oddest characters in the bus as things begin to look hopeful for the young couples. But things go south with character after character succumbing to disfiguring injuries at the hands of swerving driver, black market sexploiter and anonymous killer, only none as the driver (Tony Curran).

A fairly long feature for a low budget picture, "Shuttle," manages to move along at a fairly decent speed while delivering some goretastic action sequences along the way. Feeling like a road trip through a murderous man's Disneyland, many of the characters fight back with energetic fervor and cunning force, only to see an outwitting at the hands of the central, dehumanizing antagonist. The unbelievable story chops up the pacing slightly, with the killer revealing a previous hostage count of 100 plus. But, the film blatantly, or violently asks viewers to gently leave their rational minds at the shuttle door as this ride, in fun fashion runs over many of the characters rather than get them to their destination safely, or on time. As well, one of the better scenes, within "Shuttle," involves the bus, in CGI impacting, at high speed with one good Samaritan, who unwisely stops to help a character sobbing in the streets.

Unfortunately, the small budget can be seen in darkly lit settings and shaky camera effects, that give the film a grainier quality while allowing independent film director Anderson just enough creative room to explore slightly bizarre story lines. A continuity error near the beginning of "Shuttle," involving daylight shifting to nighttime, in 10 seconds flat stands out as one of the few mistakes in the execution of the film. And the shaky camera effect seems to be an attempt, by the director to engross viewers more fully into the picture. The amateur cast comes off believably well, only the distracting absence of extras makes one feel "Shuttle," is in strange, or surreal waters.

A superb project from an amateur director Edward Anderson, in "Shuttle," pushes most of the right buttons to deliver a fantastical tale about the black market sex trade and fictional transport of white females to Asia. A unique tale that requires imagination will surprise and excite those patient enough to sit through this long film from beginning to end. Adding enough scares to shock audiences during calm moments, Anderson contrasts a moderately developing story with some very bloody and disturbing images.

Available soon on DVD for home viewing pleasure this slightly under the radar horror flick could use a larger audience than "Shuttles," limited release was able to provide. Cleverly written with only a few flaws "Shuttle," is an excellent addition to a movie fan's DVD collection. Definitely check this one out during the first week of April 2009.

6.5 Crunchy Skulls out of 10.

And for more information on Edward Anderson check out my interview with the director, from February 26, 2009 here.

Sources

Shuttle at IMDB

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This looks interesting...would like to see this.

Also, I thought the white slave trade was real? Hmmmm.

Michael Allen said...

The white slave trade is mostly going on in Eastern Europe right now, from what I am reading. I think Anderson is using some irony in this one with the previous "oppressors, (whites)" now being the "oppressed." When, for hundreds of years the situation was the other way around.

Definitely check this one out.

-Mike