It is so rare in horror movies that you actually care about the characters enough to want them to survive the movie. Call it morbid, but thats what us horror fans love to see: everyone die horrible, gruesome, bloody deaths. Shuttle started out as a typical horror movie, with me rooting for the bad guy to kill everyone. But then it shifted in one of the many plot twists in the movie and I ended up caring about the remaining characters so much that I hoped that theyd live.
Two best friends, Mel (Peyton List, AMCs Mad Men) and Jules (Cameron Goodman, The Informers), are coming home from a girls weekend in Mexico. Theyve taken the red eye flight, so they arrive in the middle of the night with pouring down rain and they have to flag down an airport shuttle to take them home. The girls attempt to negotiate the best price and finally settle on the cheapest shuttle, and climb aboard with two guy friends they met at the airport, Matt (Dave Power) and Seth (James Snyder, Shes The Man). Also on board the shuttle is a mousy businessman named Andy (Cullen Douglas) trying to get home to his family, and of course, the creepy Driver (Tony Curran, Midnight Meat Train) who looks like a cross between Robert Englund and Tobin Bell.
Throughout the night, we’re just as trapped in the minibus as the talented ensemble cast is, feeling their frustration and fear as they realize they have no escape.
Thats about as much of the movie as Im going to give away. If I told you any more, it would be too much. The less you know about this movie, the more youll be surprised and the better it will be. As it is, I think the cover of the DVD gives away too much, similar to the way the trailers and the cover of the Quarantine DVD gave away too much. Just know that while we’re on this gruesome bus ride, many twists pop up that keep you guessing right until the very end.
I was frustrated a few times while watching the movie though, but it didnt take away from my overall enjoyment. But it takes away from the reality of the movie when the protagonist has several chances to kill the antagonist and they dont take these chances. Especially when said antagonist is being especially cruel to…well, everyone. But, like I said, this wasnt enough to ruin the movie for me.
Shuttle is a great horror film that will satisfy all horror lovers. Its got everything: Gore, a great story, a creepy bad guy(s?), plot twists, and an ending that will keep the film in your mind for days after you watch it. Just be prepared to develop a connection to the characters that is unlike one that youve developed while watching any other horror movie before. You just might be pulling for them to survive just like I was.
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the film is gritty looking and dark, making good use of all the deep blacks and blues of the bus. It’s a bleak look, but it is exactly what director Edward Anderson was going for to accent the bleak story.
The sound is Dolby digital.
Behind the Scenes – This is a very short standard Making Of feature. 5:14
Casting Sessions – These are the auditions by all six main actors. Total run time is 24:01.
Deleted Scenes – Three deleted scenes. 4:12
Trailer
Trailers – Mutant Chronicles, Splinter, Donkey Punch, HDNet promo
Shuttle is one of the best direct-to-DVD horror films that I’ve seen. Why this movie was released into horror DVD oblivion and didn’t get a proper theatrical release is beyond me. As far as the DVD goes, the extras are pretty lame. Those casting sessions seem to go on forever and could have been edited. But as far as the film goes, it’s an excellent horror/thriller that gets a high recommendation from me.
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Magnolia Home Entertainment presents Shuttle. Directed by: Edward Anderson. Starring: Tony Curran, Peyton List, Cameron Goodman, Cullen Douglas. Written by: Edward Anderson. Running time: 107 minutes. Rating: R. Released on DVD: April 7, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
