The late 1970s and early 1980s were the golden age for modern horror films. The idea was to entertain the audience with over-the-top violence. But in recent years, that approach has been replaced by a desire to titillate moviegoers with acts of torture.
Back when Freddy and Jason were prowling theaters, the goal was to scare movie-going couples enough to make them wrap their arms around each other. Now they just want you to wrap your arms around a toilet.
“My Bloody Valentine 3D” returns to those entertainingly scary days of yesteryear. There’s no way to watch this nonstop brutality without seeing the absurdity in the whole thing.
Toss in first-rate 3-D, and the movie not only pays proper homage to the 1981 original but kicks it up about 1,000 notches.
Fans of horror will recognize the familiar plot. An isolated community becomes the target of a killer. He chops his way through young and old while the local law enforcement show up just in time to crack bad jokes about the victims.
The killer in “Bloody Valentine” is The Miner, a pickax-swinging maniac made crazy after being the only survivor of a mining accident. It appeared The Miner was stopped after his first killing spree, but 10 years later he’s back to his old ways.
This kind of horror flick has never been about great acting, serious storytelling or even a plot.
Such movies work if the violence makes you scream and laugh at the same time.
“My Bloody Valentine 3D” does that in spades.
Actually, it does it with a pickax.
“My Bloody Valentine 3D”
R for graphic violence and grisly images, strong sexuality, graphic nudity and language. 1 hour, 41 minutes. Directed by Patrick Lussier; written by Zane Smith; starring Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsey Rue, Edi Gathegi, Tom Atkins, Kevin Tighe, and Megan Boone. Opens today at area theaters.
