THE RUINS

Directed by Carter Smith
Written by Scott B. Smith
Cinematography by Darius Khondji
Music by Graeme Revell
Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, Shawn Ashmore & Eric Joe Anderson

2008/93 mins/Color/Dolby Surround 5.1
2.35:1 anamorphic/US/English/NTSC Region 1

Review from the Dreamworks DVD

The sun and the beach... for most this is paradise while for others it might just become a nightmare. Jeff, Amy, Eric & Stacy are four American friends on vacation in Mexico. While hanging out they meet Mathias, a German tourist who invites them to a wild and unexplored location where his brother went a few days ago. Dimitri, a Greek tourist also looking for adventure, joins them.

The next day the group takes off and ends up in the Mexican jungle. They first seem lost but then find a hidden passage that takes them to a pyramid covered in vines and red roses. Against their will, the armed locals force the unwanted visitors to stay on the pyramid. Fear, paranoia, sanity and a strange living force soon drive them to commit the unthinkable.

THE RUINS is based on the second novel by American author Scott Smith, whose first novel was A SIMPLE PLAN, which was adapted as a film by Sam Raimi. For most part, the acting is good and the FX surprisingly gory and juicy but my biggest complain about the film is that once again all the characters keep on making the most stupid decision ever, hence I simply didn't cared for them and didn't mind seeing them brutally dying. And unlike others, this is not the gore fest that most have claimed. Infact, I would say that this is a pretty forgettable horror film. This Unrated DVD edition features some extended scenes with extra gore that was considered "too intense" for theaters and an alternate ending which is more "logic" then the theatrical version.

THE RUINS is presented on DVD in its original 2.35:1 anamorphic ratio. The film boots a very good transfer which rich and warn color saturation, no compression or artifacts. The English Dolby Surround 5.1 sounds very good. It is loud and clear. English, Spanish and French subtitle are available. The film is separated in 11 chapter stops.

There's an interesting commentary track with director Carter Smith and editor Jeff Betancourt who gives some details on the making-of the film. Sure sounds like they had a great time doing it. 'Making THE RUINS' is a 14 minutes featurette with interviews with the cast, crew and behind-the-scenes footage. It’s short but interesting. 'Creeping Death' is a very cool 15 minutes featurette on the creation of the FX and gore scenes. Do not watch this before actually seeing the film. 'Building THE RUINS' is about how the set of the pyramid was build. We also get five deleted scenes with optional commentary by the director. Among them are the alternate ending and the original theatrical ending which I'm glad they decided to change. There is simply no logic in Amy's character getting away. There's the theatrical trailer and preview for IRON MAN and other films. The disc features some very nice animated menus, comes in a keep case with no booklet or inlay card.

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Review by Kim Dubuisson. All Right Reserved. 2008. ©