By the time I saw HAUTE TENSION, or HIGH TENSION, I knew everything about it: story, reviews, ideas stolen from other sources, etc. So when I put the disc in the DVD player and watched it, I was ready to trash it. When, lo and behold, the film knock me out completely. Yes, even if I knew *everything* about it, surprise twist and all, I was still riveted by it. And unlike many who said that it doesn't make any sense at all, well, nope, it does make sense. In fact, the execution of the twisted story is almost perfect. I can't find any faults with it at all. It's a true nightmare come to life. And dare I say, there's actually an endearing quality about the way it was directed. The director and writer clearly understand people with obsessions and people who have a hard time differentiating reality with their own created reality. In the end, it achieves something I've never seen before: this is one of the most intimate horror films I've ever seen.
But on the other hand, because we're dealing with someone with a distorted view of the world, every action and event, no matter how small it is, takes an almost grandiose aspect, which gives a quasi-operatic quality to the film.
I loved everything about it: the cast, the look, the gore, the cinematography, the editing, and mostly the music. That soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a horror movie since, well, maybe HALLOWEEN. Excellent moody music. I need to buy the soundtrack.
This is one of the best horror films since the original Texas CHAINSAW MASSACRE. I've seen a lot of bad horror films and it was refreshing to see a horror film that actually delivers, and on so many levels. A must see for fans of horror.
(I watched the original French version. Don't know how the dubbed version is)
But on the other hand, because we're dealing with someone with a distorted view of the world, every action and event, no matter how small it is, takes an almost grandiose aspect, which gives a quasi-operatic quality to the film.
I loved everything about it: the cast, the look, the gore, the cinematography, the editing, and mostly the music. That soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a horror movie since, well, maybe HALLOWEEN. Excellent moody music. I need to buy the soundtrack.
This is one of the best horror films since the original Texas CHAINSAW MASSACRE. I've seen a lot of bad horror films and it was refreshing to see a horror film that actually delivers, and on so many levels. A must see for fans of horror.
(I watched the original French version. Don't know how the dubbed version is)