Horror Movie Reviews

Compare at: $9.98 (New)
Buy Now: $8.99 (New)

You Save: $0.99 (10%)

Add to Cart

Title: Cabin Fever (2004)
Format: DVD
Score:
Starring: Richard Boone (II), Hal Courtney, Charee Cuthrell, James DeBello, and Jana Farmer
Director: Not available
Rating: R (Restricted)
Runtime: 93 minutes
Hits: 205
Favorite:

Review of Cabin Fever

[ Back to Homepage | Back to Horror Movie Reviews Index ]

HellHorror.com not responsible for reviews/comments and they may be removed at any time.

Comments for Cabin Fever

• Posted on 2010-03-07
  Not great, not bad
  
  This was one I caught on cable. It was amusing enough, but don't have really high expectations. The acting and production values are decent and the plot was able to keep my interest.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2010-02-23
  Pancakes! PANCAKES! Pure Absurdity That Needs To Be Seen To Be Believed (7.5/5 Stars)
  
  Synopsis: Paul (Rider Strong), Bert (James DeBello), Karen (Jordan Ladd), Marcy (Cerina Vincent), and Jeff (Joey Kern) are college students who rent a cabin in (presumably) northern California to get away for a vacation. During their time, Bert encounters an individual who is sick with a virus. After Bert shoots at the person, the infected individual tracks down the group and ends up vomitting blood all over the place until fleeing after being ignited on fire. Unfortunately, the vomitted blood starts to infect the group as they struggle to find a way to survive. Will they live through their ordeals or will they each succumb to the mystery virus?
  
  This film will never win an Academy Award; nor will it go down as one of the "best films ever." But seriously, if you DON'T end up laughing your butt off after watching this movie, you need to check yourself for a pulse. Sure it was branded as a horror film but man alive were there parts that my friends and I were just busting out laughing at everything that was going down. Oh, and the movie has the best ending of any other film hands down.
  
  I recommend it for those who are age appropriate who want to find an unexpected source of dark humor in a horror film. You'll never look at pancakes the same again!
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2010-02-21
  Cabin Fever; or a good reason to drink beer in the woods
  
  Watching "Cabin Fever" reminded me of the fun one could have while making a horror film. One could argue that modern horror is too detailed, over-produced, under talented, and quintessentially making the same mold over and over merely for cinema dollars. The argument is tired, but true. Made in 2002, and only grossing about 21 million, this was a small blip on everyone's radar. Found randomly on DVD one October at my local video store, "Cabin Fever" was a means to merely scare a gathering of friends, or perhaps just gather some laughs. Little did we realize that this was something stronger than just your average teen-horror flick. Director Eli Roth (speaking pre-"Hostel") knew his horror genre. Being an assistant with David Lynch for many years, he understands that spooky doesn't mean linear, that blood does come in gallon containers and the more obscure the better. "Cabin Fever" proved that with mediocre dialogue, great horror shots, and the fear of the unknown (which was left unknown throughout the film). He tells us the fears, but not his characters - giving us tension with the horror. While "Hostel" seems too mainstream and less Lynch-ian for my standards, "Cabin Fever" complete with "pancakes", "Denis", the box, and the fear of this backwoods community, is that diamond in the rough. This singular film demonstrated the power behind Roth, and his missed opportunity for films to come.
  
  There is no arguing that this is an amateur film. The edits are rough, the story is haphazard, and the characters are bland, but what is impressive is the passion behind the camera. The flux of different genres blended together proves that Roth had done his homework, that he loves horror, and wasn't afraid of taking chances. He created a horror film without giving us a monster, the choice of a faceless virus wreaking havoc onto a group of unsuspecting teens was bold, but worked perfectly. Fear was created within the unknown, or more importantly, from what we knew but our characters did not. Cliché to the hilt, our leaders in this rag-tag group of C-actors (of which our leader is the boy from "Boy Meets World") try to break the mold, but nothing spectacular comes of it. This, oddly, works for "Cabin Fever" because the core of the film doesn't need popular faces, but instead a stark need for bleak realism. As horror watchers, we know that the outcome for those with cliché lines is not positive, so Roth plays with that. He builds non-existent characters to run around screaming, while we scream back. "Go out of the woods" - "Get in the cabin" - "Don't stare at the naked woman" - "Get help!" are all things not said within the film, but instead in the audience. Roth pulls you in. Instead of being a mere spectator, "Cabin Fever" asks you to be involved.
  
  Two big scenes (amongst many) stand out as reasons to watch this film. Whether you are a horror fan or not, these two speak volumes of what Roth learned from Lynch when working together. The first is Dennis. The child at the store that has a fascination with biting people that sit next to him, who loves pancakes, and equally enjoys karate moves - was one of those moments that proved Roth's loyalty to the trade. The slow motion karate reminded me of "Twin Peaks" and the music that accompanied added to that feel. The entire station was pulled from a Lynch world, and I would have considered this theft if the two hadn't worked together. Instead, it felt more like a homage, a brief "thank you" to Roth's mentor. With that said, the second scene that speaks volumes of Roth's talent is something that he has carried with him throughout his "Hostel" years. The unknown. Without spoiling anything, when our group of gun-toting locals arrive to the cabin, two have guns while one merely carries a box. When two fall shy of their goals, the other merely attempts to open a box as his form of defense. What was in that box? What could have protected him? This is the unknown makes "Cabin Fever" stand out stronger than others of this genre released at the same time. Sure, it's small - but the effect and conversation that follows with your peers is sublime.
  
  Again, "Cabin Fever" wasn't the bee's knees of horror films, but unlike Roth's future endeavors it demonstrated his ability to take a small idea and blossom it into true fear. Many will probably not enjoy this film, seeing "Hostel" as his penultimate work, this will seem lackluster - but for those nay-sayers against his torture-porn, this is a throwback to a stronger era of horror moviemaking. One part David Lynch, one part "Wrong Turn", and one part "The Stand" (that's a lot of parts) - Roth proves that he can handle a camera, a story, and a crew whilst scaring us, grossing us out, and creating a world within a world.
  
  VIDEO: The film is loose, an amateur outing with quite a bit of ideas that seem under developed and over exposed, but I loved it. It showed talent coupled with intrigue. Roth will forever be remembered to the mass audiences as "Hostel" maker, but for me - "Cabin Fever" ranks as more original and enjoyable.
  
  VISUAL: Simple DVD. The woods and colors seem to blend. The sharpness of some of the scenes isn't as focused, and it felt grainy at times - but again, this was a first film for Roth. With little money, what can you do? There were some great scenes that were filmed with strong angles and a keen eye for storytelling, but nothing spectacular. Decent transfer that could use a strong upgrade one day.
  
  SOUND: One of the key elements to this film is the sound - and borrowing from Lynch and creating his own voice, Roth does wonders with the music chosen. From the included songs to the background theme, "Cabin Fever" has a distinct sound that makes it feel like you are being chased by a flesh eating virus in the woods.
  
  EXTRAS: This simple disc is packed with stuff. The "Family Friendly" version of the film is hysterical. Roth hams it up for the camera, a la a Disney introduction. The "Chick-O-Vision" is a great inclusion. My personal favorites, "The Rotten Fruits" have three episodes on the disc that will make you laugh hysterically as well as see those dull Veggie Tales in a new light. Then, there is the quintessential behind the scenes footage where we learn about every aspect of this film. Lacking a strong commentary, that would be my only complaint with such strong special features.
  
  Overall, I am not afraid to say that I like "Cabin Fever". When I first saw it I was impressed by what little I understood and what Roth spoon-fed me. I thought he was a director to watch, and I still think he has quite a bit of potential, but to be remembered merely for "Hostel" just doesn't cut it. "Cabin Fever" is a great entry into the world of horror, creating genuine scares and following a predesigned structure (not a bad thing for this film) - he uses his own techniques to tell his story. "Cabin Fever" remains a strong entry into the world of horror. If you are new to Roth, I say start here - if you are disappointed with his future work - go back and see this again. You will not be disappointed.
  
  Grade: **** out of *****
  
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2010-01-19
  This has got to be one of the worst movies of all time.
  
  If I could rate this no stars I would.
  
  No plot.
  No suspense.
  No originality.
  
  Just no...
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2010-01-15
  4 stars for what it was
  
  Had all the elementts of good horror, well executed, not THE best acting, but pretty good. Creepy, disturbing, all that good [...]. I bought it knowing it was B horror, and was pleasantly surprised. worth seeing!
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10