Friday, May 30, 2014

Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero is More Red Goo than Surprise Ending: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a theatrical screening of this film was provided by Sinister Cinemas and Raven Banner Entertainment.

Director: Kaare Andrews.

Writer: Jake Wade Wall.

Cast: Sean Astin, Currie Graham, Ryan Donowho, Brando Eaton and Jillian Murray.

Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero was originally developed as a prequel. This film would be the first in the franchise, followed by Eli Roth's Cabin Fever (2002) and Ti West's Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009). Later, the script was reworked and the film is the second sequel in the franchise. And really, this is a standalone film as this title has only the loosest connections with the previous two films. This second sequel uses several standard indie horror features, which will be recognizable to most fans. However, actor Sean Astin as Porter offers a few deadly surprises along the way. Also, a few slower moments threaten to derail the momentum of the film, but director Kaare Andrews (Altitude) and an overworked make-up effects team create a frightening visual display. There is a lot to like in this latest film.

The film begins with one character being manhandled. Porter is whisked away to a remote facility, run by the Centre for Disease Control. He is then treated as a lab rat; several scientists are tasked with finding a cure to a deadly pathogen, with Porter the only one immune to an ebola-like illness. Yet, Porter does not like to be cooped up and he takes out his frustrations on everyone around him. Soon, this pathogen is working its way through the scientists and into other personnel. Meanwhile, a group of partiers have taken refuge at this same location. They are soon contaminated by the local waters and lesions form in the most uncomfortable of places. Scientists and partiers clash in the local jungle.

Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero develops like a standard indie horror feature. There are your usual louts and mad scientists. An isolated location keeps much of the action relegated to a few beaches and underground sets. As well, characters are not developed with much complexity and the forced conflicts come off as unreal. Still, there are moments of true horror housed in these cliches.

Though, a slow pace kept this viewer hoping for more. Early scenes show the beach bums touring the Dominican Republic. A few minor characters are introduced and then forgotten. Late in the picture, a pair of characters are descending into an underground lab and their slow approach towards a door knob is unusually strange and anti-climactic. A little more interesting conflict was needed to keep events onscreen truly interesting.

There is one compelling character in the film, Porter. Porter begins the film as the protagonist. He has just lost his family to a virulent virus. As well, he has been kept underground in a cage for up to two months. Viewers might feel some sympathy for this tormented character. But, this character begins to change into a monster. Porter turns into the villain as he uses whatever means are necessary to escape from his confines. Scientists, security and bachelor party attendees are all potential victims; Porter spares no one, even late into the picture. This is one character who needs to appear in any future sequel to the franchise.

As a last note, Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero offers some great blood effects, but the ending is slightly flat. A whole slew of make-up artists were recruited for this feature. Their handiwork can be seen in: boils, blisters, tissue loss and limb loss. Body parts seem to be flying all over the place. In a late scene, two infected women square off on the beach. Their skin is torn away and so are a pair of arms. The use of sexual device finishes off this scene with a good laugh. All of the make-up effects are A class. Though, the film has difficulty finding an ending. All of the confusion around the film's place in the franchise likely created the ambivalence in the finale. One character rises as sole survivor, but what are this character's intentions and motivations? This title seems to be teasing a sequel and the ending of the film left this viewer wanting more answers.

However, a sequel is no longer in the works. Instead, a remake is being planned to the original Eli Roth feature, Cabin Fever. Cabin Fever: Outbreak, at last word, is currently on hiatus. It is unlikely that a third sequel will be made anytime soon. This leaves the franchise in a bit of a limbo, in this critic's eyes. Events are not fully resolved in Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero and it does not look like there will be a solid conclusion in the near future. This flat ending leaves the franchise in a muddy state and it might disappoint some viewers.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (a mostly serious horror tone, some characters are ridiculous and some interactions appear forced or fake, lots of blood effects and good action late in the picture).

A trailer for the feature is available here, on 28DLA:

A Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero Trailer


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