Stay afraid. Scream writer, Kevin Williamson, has teamed up with Robert Rodriguez, the director of Tarantino's Mexican vampire gorefest. The result is far more intelligent than you might dare suppose. As a teenage take on Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, it combines strong characters with paranoid thriller techniques – can I trust her? Is she one of them? – and wicked special effects.
This time, the invasion is quick. No pods. No comfortable cocoon time. It is like hypnosis, or a blood touch: WHAP! And suddenly, for no good reason, they are half fish and need a lot of water.
The film follows a disparate group who appear to have avoided the mass innoculation of unearthly parasites, while recognising that not all is well in the state of Harrington High. There is the drug dealer (Josh Hartnett), the new girl (Laura Harris), the football star (Shawn Hatosy), the school mag editor (Jordana Brewster), the nerd (Elijah Wood) and the anti-social pseud lesbian (Clea DuVall).
And then there is everyone else, who look at them accusingly, with odd glazed expressions, or try to kill them.
The film succeeds so well in a genre, where pastiche is the norm, by accepting absurdity as real. Rodriguez is less showy than he was with From Dusk Till Dawn and Desperado. He takes it seriously, as do the young actors, all of whom deserve praise. It makes the difference between shlock horror and interesting fear.
DVD REVIEW
Region: 2
Ratio: 1.85:1 widescreen
Sound: 5:1 Dolby Digital
Extras: interactive menus, scene access
Comments: The picture on this Region 2 DVD is a nice 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, while the 5:1 Dolby Digital audio should pack an effective punch on suitable equipment.
Unfortunately there are absolutely no extras whatsoever; not even a desultory talent bio or theatrical trailer. Though the film has interactive menus and direct scene access, Warner Bros. and Dimension Home Video ought to realise that these do not count as 'special features', rather being a standard part of a DVD package.
The lack of extras is a real shame, as one imagines the director and writer would have had a lot to say about the film. Perhaps they were just too busy with Spy Kids and Dawson's Creek.
While The Faculty is an enjoyable little film that's worth renting, the lack of supplemental materials makes it hard to recommend buying this DVD.
Copyright © The Wolf 2002-2005
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