Vacancy – DVD Review

Film, Reviews

Directed by:
Nimród Antal

Starring:
Kate Beckinsale … Amy Fox
Luke Wilson … David Fox
Frank Whaley … Mason
Ethan Embry … Mechanic
Scott G. Anderson … Killer
Mark Casella … Truck Driver
David Doty … Highway Patrol

Sony Pictures presents Vacancy. Written by Mark L. Smith. Running time: 85 minutes. Rated R (for brutal violence and terror, brief nudity and language). Released on DVD: August 14, 2007. Available at Amazon.com.

The Movie


For most people, both the horror and thriller genres as of late have become so over saturated that you can’t go two weeks without seeing a preview for the latest movie planning to scare the bejesus out of you. So when I heard that yet another movie was going in to pre-production with big name stars like Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale, all interest in the film, for me anyway, vanished. Then the trailers started airing in theaters and on TV, none of which gave me much belief that I was in store for anything other than a cookie cutter movie with big name actors playing paper thin characters, simply because there was a newfound demand for these types of films by audiences. Boy, was I wrong.

The movie is best left unspoiled, but if you’ve seen a trailer for it you’d know that the people who put together all of the promotional material clearly missed that memo. Wilson plays David Fox, and is on the road with his soon-to-be ex-wife Amy (Kate Beckinsale). After taking a detour due to road construction and barely avoiding a raccoon in the middle of the road, his car begins to make some abnormal noises. After a local mechanic fails at giving them a hand, they’re left with no choice but to spend the night at a seedy motel in the middle of Nowhere, U.S.A. After entering their honeymoon suit, of which was upgraded free of charge, they soon find unmarked VHS tapes that contain horrifically violent Z-grade horror films or couples being murdered. But when David realizes that the room in the films bare a striking similarity to the one they’re currently in, it’s too late and the game is on, with the cameras rolling.

Vacancy‘s biggest positive is its simple yet nail biting story and realistic dialogue. It doesn’t over complicate things with twists or annoying subplots, instead we get a story of two people fighting to survive long enough to find a way out, constantly in fear of becoming the stars of yet another installment of their captors twisted snuff films. The best thing about the movie is that it throws us right in to things while also allowing both the relationship and back history between David and Amy to unfold at a pace so that we have built up enough of a connection with them that the minute things start to go south we pull for their survival.

With the exception of a few over acted moments and a very unnecessary tacked on ending, the movie plays like the non-stop thrill ride that so many films fail to deliver. Treating the audience like the main characters in the movie, it never allows us a moment to relax. The films cinematography keeps a wonderful mood and claustrophobic feeling that only adds to the tension. There aren’t many times were a movie sneaks up on you and completely shatters all previous expectations and preconceived notions about what was in store, Vacancy is one of those rare but delightful surprises.

The DVD


Video:
(Presented in 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen)
The transfer produces the film nicely but there are a few instances where contrast seems to be enhanced and hurts the black levels. But for the most part the films color palate isn’t harmed or compromised during compression and little edge enhancement is found.

Audio:
(English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround)
Sound plays a key role to the movies mood and the audio option included has done a nice job of reproducing that atmosphere for home viewings. The score is cut out at precise times to maximize tension and is enhanced for those fun scares. Rear speakers are given some good usage and for a thriller are used quite nicely.

Extras:

Alternate Opening Sequence (1:17) – This alternate opening to the film was best left on the cutting room floor because it would have deflated most of the films climax. I won’t go in to detail, but it was a good thing that they chose to not go with this.

Checking In: The Cast & Crew of Vacancy (21:38) – Be forewarned, if you enjoy watching stuff like this before watching the actual movie, DON’T watch this one first. The ending is both shown and talked about here and would spoil the climax of the film. That aside, this is a standard “making of,” albeit with a little extra meat on the bone. The cast and crew talk about how the story spoke to them and that they came aboard the project because the story was so well written and that there was a lot of potential. An interesting bit of information found here is that the motel was actually built twice, once on a sound stage and again in an actual location for the exterior shots. Lighting and camera movement is talked about by the director and crew, with cinematographer Andrzej Sekula (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and American Psycho) sharing how he approached the project. They also discuss filming the snuff material that played on the motel TV’s and the stunt work. All-in-all, a very nice behind the scenes look.

Mason’s Video Picks: Extended Snuff FIlms (8:59) Featuring our two main masked attackers from the movie with some of their victims. Roughly eight short clips are included and, even knowing that the footage is fake, it’s still a very disturbing and unsettling thing to watch. Ironically, it’s also one of the most original pieces of bonus material that I’ve seen in a long time.

Racoon Encounter (1:27) – Here we get a slightly extended scene after the couples car breaks down with David trying to take a leak on the side of the road, only to be scared by a noise that winds up being a raccoon.

Previews for Coming to Blu-Ray, 30 Days of Night, Resident Evil: Extinction, Vantage Point, I Know Who Killed Me, Revolver, Perfect Stranger, Rise: Blood Hunter, Hostel Part II, Bobby Z, and Fearnet.com.

The Inside Pulse

Vacancy is by and far one of the most thrilling films I’ve seen all year, with performances that are some of the best work I’ve seen from all of the actors involved. While the story may not be strong enough to support a purchase due to its minimal ability for repeat viewings (the lack of bonus material doesn’t help much either), this is a solid rental recommendation.

The DVD Lounge’s Ratings for Vacancy
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE MOVIE

7
THE VIDEO

7
THE AUDIO

7
THE EXTRAS

5
REPLAY VALUE

5
OVERALL
5.5
(NOT AN AVERAGE)

Currently residing in Washington D.C., John Charles Thomas has been writing in the digital space since 2005. While he'd like to boast about the culture and scenery, he tends to be more of a procrastinating creative type with an ambitious recluse side. @NerdLmtd