Captivity sparked controversy earlier this year when a series of graphic billboards and posters popped up around Los Angeles. Producer Courtney Solomon claimed that it was a mistake, but I seriously have my doubts regarding that. It seemed to be the perfect way to drum up some mainstream press for this small film in the hopes of a box office spike. Well, it backfired and the film has become a box office dud.
That is not to say I didn't enjoy it, which also is not to say that it is good. This film is following on the coattails of the Saw and Hostel franchises, but they are toning down the story (?) and attempting to up the disturbing qualities of said films. The end result is a blend of seriously unsettling imagery combined with a cast of characters I do not care one iota about. Yet still, I found myself enjoying it.
I enjoyed laughing at the ridiculous script, I enjoyed squirming at the torture sequences, I enjoyed the ridiculously shallow tale being spun. The fact that I found myself enjoying this beyond all reason is testament to my being a fan of horror movies; it can be hard to find good ones, so I will occasionally find myself drawn into a bad one. Perhaps it was the more twisted elements that kept me captivated, because it sure wasn't the characters holding my attention.
We are given a taste of what to expect in the opening scene, as we watch our unidentified killer cover a victim in plaster of Paris, poor something down a tube through his nose, while blood drains from his other nostril. This scene ends with our killer taking a sledgehammer to the plaster encased head. Now, that should give you a clear idea of whether or not this is going to be a movie for you. Undoubtedly, many of you will not go anywhere near it, while others of you may smile, thinking this could be just what you're looking for. Well, it isn't quite as bad for the former, and not nearly enough for the latter.
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