The after dark horror fest has helped horror film collections grow at a steady pace. There are at least 8 films released annually. All are low budget, but generally don’t have anything else in common.
Dark Ride is the story of a horror amusement park ride and the mentally challenged psycho killer that lives there. Stop me if you’ve heard this before… there is a killer on the loose in a remote location. Several young, horny college kids on their way to spring break make a detour to spend the night where they shouldn’t. Hilarity, death, and mayhem ensue. Why do horror movies constantly remake this basic morality tale? BECAUSE IT’S FUN!
There is only a basic back story. The characters (or should I call them caricatures) are two dimensional and shallow with the smallest taste of emotion. The gore makes its first appearance mere minutes into the film and looks pretty good. All the effects are in camera and don’t have the polish of the modern CG studio films, but this kind of film doesn’t need to. This adds up to a solid modern slasher film.
The Nitty Gritty: Scale of 0 to 10
Camp Factor - 3 (all the acting is more serious than camp, but the killer’s mask alone gets points)
Gore – 7 (it starts early and doesn’t really stop. They don’t go overboard, but there is a limited cast to kill. There is a marionette scene that is remarkably well done for in camera effects)
Creep Factor – 3 (only the darkness adds to the eerie feel. There isn’t really any true suspense beyond that. They went for a few memorable kills instead of an Argento feel)
Nudity/Sex – 5 (only one topless scene and one sex act, but it comes to a happy ending for slasher fans)
Jump Scenes – 3 (there are a few, but in general they use them as red herrings. You see the killer before he does any killing. The murders are the treat.)
Verdict: Slasher fans unite. It isn’t Hatchet, but it should definitely be a rental.
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