| Cannibal Holocaust pt 4 |
| Now if there was ever a film that stirs up a strong reaction in people, it would certainly be this one. I've gotten reactions from people online, in person, and in print. I've always found it really interesting to see how different people with different interests react to something like this. Admittedly, most people that I've talked with are long time horror fans (not many other people stumble across this movie...). Before I dive into this, I want to say that I have my own opinions about the movie. Even though I might try to dissect someone's views on the movie in the following paragraphs, I am in no way trying to assert my superiority over them. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I respect that. I'm not saying mine is right, and theirs is wrong. What makes a movie like this such a treasure is that it holds different things for different people. Anyone who would like to voice an opinion to me or add a comment criticism to this review is encouraged to email using the link below. Now, let's get started. Many of these reactions came from the recent Flashback Weekend in Chicago (great show, even though the host was a jerk) where I got the opportunity to see a beautiful 35mm print on the big screen. Many people were seeing it for the first time. I guess it helps to understand the conditions we saw it under. The convention was at a hotel, and attendees were offered a shuttle bus to the theater the movie was showing at. After the movie, the bus ride back to the hotel seemed very sombre. It took a while before anyone felt like talking much, and some people stayed quiet the entire ride back. Fortunately, I have a motormouth so I had some very good discussionso on the way back. |
| The most common reaction is of shock. Everyone knew that it was a notorious movie, but I don't think everyone knew exactly what they were getting into. I can't say that I blame them though, I had already seen the film and it still hit me pretty hard from the big screen. The problem from shocking people that much is that sometimes they shut down afterwards. Some people didn't want to think about what was being said, but just wanted to forget it as soon as possible. That's quite understandable, this film isn't for everyone. I hope though, that after they give it time to sink in they can give thought to why the movie was like that and possibly take a serious look at their own ethics. |
| On the exact opposite side of the coin, I met someone who said that the film was tame! I have to say, that I honestly don't know what to make of this. I don't know if perhaps they were completely desensitized or if the gratuitous just made them turn off, but this reaction completely baffled me. If someone strongly feels this way, I would love to learn more about why. Maybe I was quick to judge in this particular case, but my guess was that they considered themselves untouchable. A person who thought they had seen it all, and was beyond shocking. In this case I considered it to be more reactionary to the general conception of such a notorious film than this material simply being run of the mill (if it is, I'd hate to see the home life!). I think that this was a self defense mechanism. They obviously didn't enjoy the film, which is completely understandable, I wouldn't say that I 'enjoyed' it either. Since it didn't sit very well, I see the person as looking for the highest or most common praise given to the film. In this case, it is almost always without fail, shocking. So to take away the life blood of the movie would be to call it tame. I can accept someone not liking just about every aspect of the movie, whether is be the direction, the cinematography, the music, the acting, the effects, but how someone can call this tame is just beyond me. As for the examples mentioned above, I think it goes without saying that I think they're all spectacular. |
| One of the most extreme reactions, is one that I've expected all along. Extreme digust. What I find odd though, is most people can't admit that they found a well made movie disgusting; they try to pick apart other elements so that the movie doesn't beat them by accomplishing its goal. Just look throughout the IMDb comment index to see plenty of examples of this. People seem to have a tendancy to compare this to the oddest things and get their facts mixed up in the process. One guy advises readers to skip Last House on the Left and go straight for Dial: Help! I don't even know where to begin with that one. I assume he means House on the Edge of the Park. Oh well, some people just open their mouths and let anything fly out. I would respect someone much more who just openly said that they aren't interested in gross movies, especially ones where animals are killed, and passed on the title. On the same token, I'm not interested in a lot of movies, but that doesn't really take away their legitimacy. |
| On the complete other side of the spectrum, I'm just as baffled by people who absolutely love the movie. This probably sounds strange considering the glowing review I've given it, but I'm sure you can see that I take the movie for the vile statement that it is. The movie thrives on proving its point with its unrivaled power to disgust. I have a feeling it's mostly rebelous youth that champions the movie because of it's power to disgust parents. I've also heard about a sort of apathy towards the subject matter. The animal killings don't bother people just because they don't care about animals. I'm confused on this issue, because I've heard this from intelligent people and the sense in it still eludes me. I don't know if the animal killings don't bother them just because they can avoid thinking about it, or if they have a different hierarchy in which the value of an animal life is placed. I suppose I could look like a hypocrite to a person like this since I eat meat without a second thought and I don't lose sleep over dead animals on the road. My stance is that I see those as either accidents or an ugly fact of nature (animals kill animals for food...we're animals too etc.). Killing an animal for a movie though isn't natural, and it doesn't sit well with me. I suppose that's why I'm so long winded on this topic though, where others may not be. I am both repulsed and fascinated by this movie. There are questions that have challenged me since I first saw this movie years ago. The compelling idea for me though, is I still hold my stance on many issues that contradict the ideas in the film. Ruggero Deodato took us to an ugly place in 1979, I treasure the experience but I would not like to see someone attempt to bring us back there again. The time has passed, we're living in a different ear; so let's let the animals rest safe for the time being. |
| Well, just as this movie was an epic an monumental experience for me, so was this review. I extend a heartfelt thank you to anyone (anyone?!) who bothered to see this through all the way to the end. I plan on doing a more standard one page review in the near future that has more of the typical bio information, and also contains no spoilers. |
| I give this one a full 5 pig eatin' Yucamos out of 5! |
| review by Joe Canistro 09/07/2002 |
| Click on the curious head to email me! |
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