Boy, you wanna give me one good reason why you wouldn’t dig this movie?
Cabin Fever (2002)
Directed By: Eli Roth (Hostel)
The Prologue
Back in the good ol’ days, or as you all call it, the year 2002. I was just getting serious with my love of film. Now don’t get me wrong, I loved movies and horror before, but in 2002 it went into overdrive. So as I went out of my way to watch tons of classics I had missed a new film by a new director named Eli Roth came out called Cabin Fever. While I loved the film, most my friends were just grossed out by it. So with time gone by and with me just now getting to finally see the sequel I figured it would be a grand time to revisit Cabin Fever.
The Movie
A group of kids rent a cabin that is in the middle of the woods and as you’d figure all hell breaks loose! However, not to be mistaken with another great film about kids getting into trouble in a wooded cabin, the danger comes from a flesh eating virus instead of demons. What follows is a very gory, gross, and yet somehow funny film by then first time director Eli Roth.
Let’s be 100% on the up and up with each other folks. Cabin Fever isn’t for everyone, it never was. It’s a film that takes a very twisted sense of humor to truly enjoy and you have to at times just let things go and not dwell too much into them. One of the major selling points to a lot of people was seeing the famous Shawn from Boy Meets World (Rider Strong) play the role of Paul and be in a setting like we never imagined he would be in. And to his credit he does a great job and next to the very sexy Cerina Vincent in the role of Marcy is the films strongest character.
Another thing that really worked for me when I saw this film (more so then than now) was I think I know someone who is like everyone in this film. We’ve all known a guy like Bert. We’ve all know a pretty boy like Jeff, and we’ve all knew (and maybe even had a thing for) a girl like Karen. Depending on if you’re a guy or a girl, you were probably either Marcy or Paul. Say what you will about Eli Roth, I know he has his haters. But Eli knows how to make characters and he does that well in this film. Sure, there’s some juvenile or corny moments but haven’t we all had those moments in real life?
One thing that really rounds out all the fun stuff in this film (and it’s fun from the start as it hardly drags) is the tons of gore. I’ve been in rooms watching this movie with friends and seen them squirm, turn away, and even gag at what they have seen on the screen. And to me it was never THAT bad. Sure, I knew it was awesome and gory, but it never really had that kind of reaction with me. I just loved it because it’s hard to come buy in a lot of films, even back then.
From the random “Pancakes” moments to the man that clearly loves to party, Deputy Winston. I think this movie is packed with about ten flavors of awesome. Plus, if I may be honest, I live in Tennessee. Do you know how many places around here have stores just like the one in this movie, people like the people in this movie, and woods that look just like the woods in this movie? I guess you “city folks” can’t relate to that. But I do think you’ll find something here to like regardless.
While a lot of folks I know never did like the ending. I think it’s a proper end to the awesome third act and a great conclusion for a movie that was in the tone of this movie. I also think Eli Roth set a pretty high bar for the rest of his work to be measured by and that is why everything else hasn’t been able to live up to our expectations. Still, I think this film is a classic.
The Conclusion
Well as you can tell, I love this film. I know it’s not the best horror film ever made or not even the best “kids getting killed off in the woods in a cabin” film ever made either. But still, I really like it. Maybe it’s not for everyone and because of that some will love it and some will hate it. I don’t think there’s an in between.
The Rating (7.5/10)
Chucks website
