Wolf Creek

There comes a time when you set your sights on a movie virtually months before its release date. Wolf Creek was one of those movies I couldn't pass up. And let me tell you, this is terrifying stuff! However whether or not Roadshow, will make it financially successful in Australia will prove difficult. Stamped with an R-rating for "realistic violence" the film cannot be advertised on TV. Furthermore the film contains an exhaugstingly slow first act that will piss off mainstream viewers. On the other hand, if the film fairs well worldwide, the Australian tourism industry is in big trouble.

The film begins in Broome, we see Sydney-boy Ben (Nathan Phillips), and two Pommy backpackers Liz (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy (Kestie Morassi) about to begin a road trip to Townsville via Darwin. However, before they set off towards the top end they decide to venture to Wolf Creek. Wolf Creek being some place, where a meteorite crashed into the dessert back in the 40s. Along the way to Wolf Creek, they meet some unfriendly locals who haven't been introduced to the toothbrush and we also discover that Ben has the natural talent for talking shit. They arrive at Wolf Creek which is protected by a fence and a 3 hour hike, consequently they foot-Falcon up to "the hole" leaving their bomb all alone. The walk to "the hole" in the earth, is surprisingly quick considering they are all chain smokers. While at Wolf Creek, we are left wondering if Kristy has a dirty habit of farting. When they return to the car, we are greeted to Ben having a piss and some freaky situation about Kristy's and Ben's watches stopping for no apparent reason while they were venturing Wolf Creek. To add more mystery their car mysteriously doesn't start. As they settle down for the night, a man (appropriately named) Mick (John Jarrett) arrives and offers to help. Mick happily reminds the girls of Mick Dundee from Crocodile Dundee, to Ben he is a socially retarded bushpig. He drives them back to his 'home', where he fixes their car and offers them fresh rain water from the Northern Territory. They doze off. When Liz wakes up, she is bound and gagged and terror ensues.

Have you heard the sound of a knife shattering a spinal cord? Based on true events, Wolf Creek is a film that will push the limits of how much you can stand. It is shocking, unapologetic and upsetting. The realistic of some of the violence is purely unwatchable. The violence in Wolf Creek will satisfy all senses, apart from smell. But I wonder what a piece of rotting flesh would smell like if it was 2 metres away. At one point where Kristie is being victimised, 2 girls left the cinema visibly upset. The film also works on all emotions, not only because the film is based on a true story but because going on road trips is something we do, and it doesn't help having a broken down car in the middle of nowhere and have some social retard help you. The performances are actually very good considering the work the actors have done. Jarret use to host Better Homes and Gardens, Magrath played Sigrid Thornton's daughter on Seachange and some after school ABC show and Phillips was seen earlier this year in the turkey, You and Your Stupid Mate. Considering the budget limitations, the cinematography is fantastic.

Wolf Creek uses a lot of clichés associated with the genre, however first time writer/director, Greg McLean, directs in such a way that it still remains fresh rather than annoying. Whether or not it was necessary to overdo the character development and backstory may not sit well for viewers who want to see blood and guts in the first five minutes. McLean tries to hard to make the leads likeable, often to no avail. At one point, you can't wait till they die. However, you don't notice the achievement in the direction once the film is over. Apart from a small plot hole and a few inconsistancy errors, Wolf Creek comes out unscathed and rather satisfying.

Wolf Creek is a must for fans of horror only. Mainstream audiences will have trouble enjoying Wolf Creek partly because of its slowness and the outcome. Fans who appreciated The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake or original) will thoroughly enjoy this. I strongly recommend you do some shock exercises before you see Wolf Creek. One things for sure, John Jarret's laugh will be haunting you for days to come. While the film maybe enjoying critical and financial success, whether or not McLean brings anything new to genre is subject to debate, with his next film about a backpacker-killing crocodile set somewhere in the NT, his stay in Hollywood could be a very short one.


out of ten

Reviewed by Dino White

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