Every once in a while, a cinematic experience comes along that is so refreshing, so entertaining, that it makes you thankful for why movies were invented. In a world full of big-budget, merchandising ploy, CGI-spectacles with overpaid actors and no substantial plot, it is gratifying to know that us Brits can conjure up a gem of a movie that will be adored for its innocence, fun and sheer class, not only over here, but in the US of A too. This gem is Dog Soldiers.
Set in the Scottish Highlands (actually filmed in the Netherlands, makes sense?) following a squad of British soldiers on training manoeuvres at the same time as a familiar England vs. Germany footie match. Our guys in green soon find themselves in the middle of a mystery, entrails scattered about the place, a sole survivor from a Special Ops. Squad, and a pack of hungry Werewolves soon make it clear that the sh*t is about to hit the fan!
Taking refuge in a deserted farmhouse, our heroes along with local girl Megan (who came to the rescue just before feeding time) try to fend off the monsters using any means necessary until daylight comes.
Brilliantly executed black humour, gore, slapstick, gore, action and more gore are amalgamated into one of the best movies of 2002. Starring Sean Pertwee (now cementing himself in �God-like being� status) and Trainspotting�s Kevin McKidd along with a wonderful supporting cast, the notion of dismissing this movie as low-budget fodder is long forgotten.
The plot is simple in its entirety, but there are plenty of subtle, beautiful plot twists, in-jokes to make the hardest of movie critics enjoy this movie in bundles (that includes you Matty!). It's about time that Hollywood stood up and took notice of such a noble effort from this cast and crew, its taken movie-making back to basics and shown what entertaining the audience is all about. |
