Severance by Christopher Smith [2006]

Title: Severance
Director: Christopher Smith
Starring: Danny Dyer, Laura Harris, Tim McInnerny
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2006
Source: Blockbuster

Again, a movie that doesn't quite fit into one genre. And again, a damn good result. Take note, studios.

The basic gist is a sales team from a weapon distributing company goes on a little family vacation of sorts to build team spirit. They are expecting to come onto a luxery lodge, but after getting sidetracked by a fallen tree blocking the road and the bus driver taking the high road on foot, they end up at a rundown lodge. And not just any lodge, a lodge slammed pack with not-so-nice cyptic messages about the very company they all work for. After some shady occurances, they decide it's for their general health to get on out of there... only to find the bus driver dead in a near-by creek... oh noes, the horror! And yes, then the killing begins, but not without constant humour, to keep you both glued to the screen and pissing your pants laughing.

I'd say about 70% of this movie is pure comedy and about 30% horror, but it works so well that you don't quite get tired of either. The humour compliments the horror. The team behind this definitely didn't rely on cheap jokes to carry the carry the weight of the film, as the effects and horror scenes can keep up with the current heavy weights of the genre. Warning, however, is that about 3/4 of the way in, they just cut out the comedy department and turn the film strictly horror. Not the smoothest transition, one moments you are laughing at the well done comedy driven chase, the next moment it's like... oh.. no more laughing, eh? Ah, thanks for the heads up. That's it. The last 20 minutes or so is nothing but serious business, but it does work. Maybe it just caught me off guard? I went into watching this with no expectations, just saw the cover at Blockbuster and decided I need to see it.

Comedy? Horror? Who fucking cares. This movie is worth renting in my humble ass opinion.

Recommended.

j.