I figured I would check this movie out because I had heard very conflicting reviews of the movie. Most of the buzz I heard was negative, but then I also heard good things from the people who would like this kind of movie (namely the people on this board). So I figured it was worth watching.
Let me say here, I avoid almost all information about a movie until I've seen it. It's just the way I am. Let's get back to this in a moment.
I really liked WOLF CREEK. It's not a great movie by any means, but I was judging it by slasher movie standards. Here's one thing that WOLF CREEK does outstandingly: None of the characters act stupidly. Well, there is one moment where one of the characters spends an astounding amount of time perusing the previous victims' evidence. I can forgive this, because the movie needs to establish it. I'm not saying the characters didn't act stupid. They did. But it was understandable in the circumstances they found themselves in. But it's very rare in a "slasher" movie like this when you are shouting at the screen "just shoot the f**ker" that a character actually does it. It's very refreshing.
I was surprised to see the vehemence that critics savaged this movie with. Look at
Ebert's review. If you read it correctly, he's savaging the fact that it doesn't follow the horror movie guidelines he's come to expect. Maybe the characters weren't stupid enough, maybe the killer was too goofy, and maybe he got away.
I'm not going to say I approve of all the characters actions, but I can believe them, which is very rare in a horror movie.
One thing I wish filmmakers would stop doing is saying "Based on true events". Everything is based on true events. You can not write a story that isn't. If you could, you are not human. Still I enjoyed this one, a lot.
