Post by Webmonkey on May 25, 2005 22:02:38 GMT -8
Toll 13 Sets New Horror Standard
By Michaela Berron
Seattle Times film critic
A perched camera from the murky depths of a smog filled city glaring ominously above at the dangling claws of rooftop ravens. The camera begins to steadily move towards the main characters, the subtle but immediately memorable score begins to get your blood pumping... and that's when you realize that the years that lay ahead of you will from here on be paralyzed with dread. Its amazing that a giant animatronic machine clock looking like a twisted miniature of Big Ben will most likeley still have the power to enthrall and horrify generation after generation of viewers, this reviewer suspects even after 30 some-odd years after its release.
For those of you who have lived comically sheltered lives, here is the plot breakdown of Director Anton Le Frey's instantly classic tale of man vs. time: After a woman (or what's left of her) is found mangled beyond recognition, a policeman desperately tries to convince the mayor that a killer cult is on the loose in Amity Drifts. However, being the height of winter S'more-roasting season, the warnings go unheeded. Then, the town's worst fears are realized: a young boy is ripped from the street and later found torn to pieces.
What makes this movie great is how it is almost entirely two different films in one: the first half is pure horror film in the best tradition of Hitchcock, as we follow the previously unknown James St. James, as Crispen Cadre and his struggles to capture the monster terrorizing his peak. After meeting the other main characters (which include an occult specialist and a former Bear hunter) the viewer is then thrust in a classic adventure story as the 2 men and 1 woman, venture out into the director's unique vision of a dark and twisted city with one goal in mind: to hunt and kill the killer, which is much more than meets the eye as it turns out, but I won't spoil it for you.
St. James' performance is incredible, and transcends even the solid but somewhat safe script with his portrayal of a youth trapped between worlds attempting to save the life of his love from whatever is eating the people of Amity Drifts. There is also a very solid performance from newcomer Rozalyn as Helena Stromo, a punky occult expert who discovers too much about the cause of all of the drama. This reviewer has rarely seen a first showing like this, in both newcomers, however I would place the performance of Cadre among the ranks of a young Jack Nicholson in The Shining. The Oscar buzz for this year is almost certain to contain a Best Actor nominationfor Mr. St. James.
This movie is quite simply a classic in the making. No if ands or buts about it. Anyone and everyone who has seen this movie have always had that lingering fear of the slow ticking of a grandfather clock. This is the movie that will make Le Frey a God among directors, to spite the extensive delays during this films production, and for good reason: his deliberate pacing and knack for telling a good story really make this film come to life. Previously known only for small cult films such the director has truly come into his own with this release. This movie will age like fine wine too, thanks in large part to Mr. Le Frey.
Another reason this movie will endure is, of course, the musical score. To this day, there has never been a more effective, suspenseful soundtrack to a movie, with the possible exception of the Jaws Soundtrack and my guess is there will never be one that's quite like it. Seriously folks, name one time that you didn't get the chills when John Williams' Jaws threatening theme entered your eardrums, and into your sub-conscious. This score will do the same thing. It's audio mastery in its purest and most volatile form.
Bottom Line: If you haven't seen Toll 13, then what kind of horror fan are you? This is destined to become one of the golden oldies, a movie that will traumatize and shock an entire era of American culture. A movie that stands up to repeated viewings and will always stick with you. This is without a doubt a classic in every sense of the word.
*posted on behalf of Vampire STs.
By Michaela Berron
Seattle Times film critic
A perched camera from the murky depths of a smog filled city glaring ominously above at the dangling claws of rooftop ravens. The camera begins to steadily move towards the main characters, the subtle but immediately memorable score begins to get your blood pumping... and that's when you realize that the years that lay ahead of you will from here on be paralyzed with dread. Its amazing that a giant animatronic machine clock looking like a twisted miniature of Big Ben will most likeley still have the power to enthrall and horrify generation after generation of viewers, this reviewer suspects even after 30 some-odd years after its release.
For those of you who have lived comically sheltered lives, here is the plot breakdown of Director Anton Le Frey's instantly classic tale of man vs. time: After a woman (or what's left of her) is found mangled beyond recognition, a policeman desperately tries to convince the mayor that a killer cult is on the loose in Amity Drifts. However, being the height of winter S'more-roasting season, the warnings go unheeded. Then, the town's worst fears are realized: a young boy is ripped from the street and later found torn to pieces.
What makes this movie great is how it is almost entirely two different films in one: the first half is pure horror film in the best tradition of Hitchcock, as we follow the previously unknown James St. James, as Crispen Cadre and his struggles to capture the monster terrorizing his peak. After meeting the other main characters (which include an occult specialist and a former Bear hunter) the viewer is then thrust in a classic adventure story as the 2 men and 1 woman, venture out into the director's unique vision of a dark and twisted city with one goal in mind: to hunt and kill the killer, which is much more than meets the eye as it turns out, but I won't spoil it for you.
St. James' performance is incredible, and transcends even the solid but somewhat safe script with his portrayal of a youth trapped between worlds attempting to save the life of his love from whatever is eating the people of Amity Drifts. There is also a very solid performance from newcomer Rozalyn as Helena Stromo, a punky occult expert who discovers too much about the cause of all of the drama. This reviewer has rarely seen a first showing like this, in both newcomers, however I would place the performance of Cadre among the ranks of a young Jack Nicholson in The Shining. The Oscar buzz for this year is almost certain to contain a Best Actor nominationfor Mr. St. James.
This movie is quite simply a classic in the making. No if ands or buts about it. Anyone and everyone who has seen this movie have always had that lingering fear of the slow ticking of a grandfather clock. This is the movie that will make Le Frey a God among directors, to spite the extensive delays during this films production, and for good reason: his deliberate pacing and knack for telling a good story really make this film come to life. Previously known only for small cult films such the director has truly come into his own with this release. This movie will age like fine wine too, thanks in large part to Mr. Le Frey.
Another reason this movie will endure is, of course, the musical score. To this day, there has never been a more effective, suspenseful soundtrack to a movie, with the possible exception of the Jaws Soundtrack and my guess is there will never be one that's quite like it. Seriously folks, name one time that you didn't get the chills when John Williams' Jaws threatening theme entered your eardrums, and into your sub-conscious. This score will do the same thing. It's audio mastery in its purest and most volatile form.
Bottom Line: If you haven't seen Toll 13, then what kind of horror fan are you? This is destined to become one of the golden oldies, a movie that will traumatize and shock an entire era of American culture. A movie that stands up to repeated viewings and will always stick with you. This is without a doubt a classic in every sense of the word.
*posted on behalf of Vampire STs.
Good stuff, though, really I've -never- seen a review that great. LOL
