Reviewed by: Becca & Kris

Directed by: James Mangold

Produced by: Cathy Konrad

Cast: John Cusack, Jake Busey, Rebecca DeMornay, Clea DuVall, & Ray Liotta

Horror, Mystery, Thriller 90 Minutes Rated R Caught in a savage rainstorm, ten travelers are forced to seek refuge at a strange desert motel. They soon realize they've found anything but shelter. There is a killer among them and, one by one, they are murdered. As the storm rages on and the dead begin to outnumber the living, one thing becomes clear: Each of them was drawn to the motel, not by accident or circumstance, but by forces beyond imagination, forces that promise anyone who survives a mind-bending and terrifying destiny...

This movie was absolutely amazing, I love going on mind twisting rides. I want movies to scare and shock me, and this movie did it with full force. The movie begins with a prisoner being taken to a late night meeting to see if he should be put to death or be sent to a mental hospital. It starts playing with your mind in the first scene alone, you wonder what a prisoner has to do with these people stuck at a motel. Of course, you will discover the answer once you watch the movie.

The actors were outstanding and although it wasn't wet my pants terrifying, it was alot of fun and not much gore. The ending was a total shock, and I didn't even come close to figuring out what was going on before they told me. See this movie, if you are a horror fan at all, you already have.

The TV spot says that this film is “scarier than The Ring.” I have to ask one question. What in the world does this movie have in common with The Ring? The two main differences are Identity is actually good and it’s also suspenseful, which were two things The Ring lacked. This is a fun movie to see. My head was so twisted around by the end. I have to say be prepared for a few twists that you won’t see coming. Just when I thought I had something figured out, the plot decided to twist, and that thought was wiped out of my brain. Definitely see this movie.

The Hulk tries so hard to prove itself a success that it just ends in dismal failure. There are so many problems with this film that they can’t all be named at one time. The comic book styling of the film with split screens and cuts and wipes was just ridiculous. One does not go to a film adaptation of a comic book character expecting a comic style to it. If one wanted something like that then you could just pick up a comic book and read. A film adaptation is expected to bring a comic book to life rather then just incorporate the comic into film.

The story is also a big problem. Either the actions are going too slowly or too fast. There is no sense consistency at all for the film. Many questions are also left unanswered. Why did Bruce’s father not kill Bruce? He killed his wife but only accidentally. He had the opportunity, why not take it? His father is sent away for 30 years but how does he escape and get back to Bruce? How is he able to work at the lab, even just as a janitor, without them knowing where he is? And what is the deal with him at the end? How is Bruce able to change back from being The Hulk to being normal Bruce? Nothing is cleared up correctly for the audience to clearly understand what is going on. Based on the issue of the special effects, the CGI is moderate. The Hulk seems pretty realistic at night and when he is slightly hidden in shadows but looks absolutely ridiculous in the desert and in broad daylight. The chase scenes are nothing more then an attempt to show off the CGI Hulk. Those scenes do nothing but make the story go around in circles. One doesn’t see a problem with a giant green monster flying through the air?

Ang Lee is a great director with his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon but The Hulk is just a huge mess from beginning to end. Guess not all comic books characters are meant to be brought to the big screen.