Shadow Puppets (2007)

by Rizzy

I rented this movie strictly to Bview it.  I went my local grocery store and saw a Red Box and started looking for the worst movie that I could find in it.  This one kinda just jumped out at me.  Why?  The name of it, for one thing. I envisioned this wonderful backstory of the characters at children camping and making shadow puppets and telling ghost stories and then I read the synopsis and saw that it's actually a lot more like the movie Unknown that I did a Bview for in that it involved a group of people that wake up in a strange building with no memory. That's about when I realized that this was definitely the movie for me.

The set to this movie was beyond incredible.  Dark, gloomy, creepy and filled with shadows. I love a good set and water-stained walls next to freakishly clean locker rooms next to people chained in cells equals a great mix for both confusion and unrest. When you aren't busy trying to figure out what the place is you're busy waiting for the next scare to come along.

They did a great set up for the fear of the shadows in the movie, but I really wish there would have been more of this. This really more perpetuated the idea that each person was going to have their own shadow monster.  I really think it would have been a more interesting movie if it'd have been a commentary on the shadow within yourself coming to attack you... I guess a little taste of a cool shadow on a wall automatically makes my hopes jump up high. Still the subtle shadow play that's shown through a lot of the start of the film really gives you the feel that the shadows could be coming for you from anywhere, which all in all is an awesome concept.  Walking around my apartment alone to run to the bathroom during this film?  I completely had to turn the lights on, which means it passes my seal of approval.

In contrast to the great set and good setups though, I have to take this movie down a step when it comes to acting. Jolene Blalock's performance is way over done. Do you like this look? The strong but scared look? This, I'm all vulnerable and doe eyed with high morals that push me further? I hope so, this is the only look she has, the entire film. Right there. Her entire performance just feels forced and unbelievable. They all seem to deem her their leader, but she hardly has the strongest presence in the room. I find it hard to believe that she'd be able to calm some of the situations that she's put into, but I like her enough.  She far from ruined the film, just made it a bit laughable at times, which only adds to the joy.

They do an AMAZING job of introducing each character as you meet them. This girl was tied up and stashed behind pretty much the scariest looking door ever. Look at that!  Seriously, you don't know what to think about any of the characters as you meet them, because they are all introduced in interesting, but different ways. The first 4 are kinda all generic, but after that each one is really a treat.

 I got to admit, I love the supporting cast in this film a lot better than the main characters. A lot of time they have a stronger performance and more presence.  The supporting cast really threw themselves into the roles. Natasha Alam for example did an amazing job playing someone completely comfortable in her own skin and with her sexuality in the face of inevitable death. Here's a character that really shouldn't be believable, but completely is. And despite the fact that she's crazy, you can't help but love her for her attitude and smile. She just felt very natural in the role, I hope to see her in more things, because she did an amazing job.  Another notable performance in this film was Marc Winnick who played the most lovable nerd type with no memory that I've ever seen. Seriously, I love the nerds and he is no exception, I wouldn't mind seeing him in more films either.

Where this movie really excels though is in the drama/paranoia factor. This is one of those films that plays with the idea that the enemy to watch out for might not just be the shadow monster, but the people you're trying to escape with. Tensions run high within the group who are constantly trying to figure out if someone is from the other side.  And they play around with this really just the perfect amount in my opinion. Just enough to really keep things interesting, but not too much where you feel disappointed like in Unknown, which you can read my Bview on for more information.

Really, I'd recommend this film if you can get past the lack of a really strong concept for a film that could have had an amazing one and the less than amazing acting from the main characters. It's got enough scares and a solid supporting cast to build up the suspense enough to make it an ok watch. If you think that suffering through subpar acting and cheap scares without some help is unthinkable?  Then you can play along with the Shadow Puppets Drinking Game. In all honesty though, I really enjoyed this movie a lot more than I thought I would.