DETOUR
PLOT-A group of party-goers get stuck in the desert and are pursued by a family of cannibals.
VIOLENCE-Gutting, impalement, decapitation, stabbing, and a guy gets his legs crushed by a car.
SEX/NUDITY-One "Skinemax" style sex scene featuring two of the lead actors naked.
WHY I WATCHED IT-The gritty, ultraviolent opening sequence was shot by Neal Fredericks (KILLER ME) and features Tiffany Shepis (BLOODY MURDER 2), one of my favorite actors.
THE DOPE-There are several horror movie formulas, some very worn out and some with a little life still left in them. The plot of DETOUR will no doubt remind you of many you've watched before (as far back as THE HILLS HAVE EYES and as recently as WRONG TURN) and it really brings nothing new to the table. However, there's something to be said for execution, and DETOUR was made by people with real talent, which kept it watchable and fun the whole time. They didn't just get some daft bikini models and throw blood at them...this is a seriously well-made, kickass little movie. Sure, you want the annoying "ravers" to die at first, after all, they're ravers for crying out loud. And you certainly don't feel sorry for anyone stupid enough to go looking for peyote in the middle of the desert. They deserve whatever happens to them! But hey, this is a horror film. And whatever crazy shit is lurking in the desert, you want to see it find these people and fuck them up.
Funny thing about DETOUR, though. As annoying as the characters are (and believe me, there's one that'll make you wanna reach into the TV and throttle his dumb ass), you still want them to survive somehow. The film is that well-constructed and well-acted. Heather Elizabeth (who looks like she could be the sister of Shannon) is particularly outstanding as the unlikely hero of the ill-fated bunch, and will hopefully appear in more films in the future.
Full of gory death and intense moments and laced with dark humor and well-written dialogue, DETOUR really is a cool, action-packed ride. Why movies like this go direct to video and steaming turds like HOUSE OF THE DEAD get released in theaters nationwide is a total mystery to me. Put your money towards something you won't regret...check out DETOUR.
(December 2003)
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