Starring: Jack Gordon, Elen Rhys, Scarlett Johnson, Michael Jibson
Rating: 6/10
Morally, Panic Button regards the cautions of social networking and the dangers within the personal information shared and the permanence of internet usage. The premise is simple. Four members of a social network (Gwen, Dave, Max and Jo) win an all expenses paid trip to New York on a private jet. As part of the deal, they are provided with 'in-flight entertainment' which soon becomes unnerving as private information of each person's internet history are used against them in cruel quizzes instigated by an interactive alligator. After ignoring the terms and conditions, the foursome indulge in the 'games' with the promise of winning extravagant prizes. However, when the rounds become ever more malevolent, forfeits are introduced, revealing that each member has a hostage loved one who will suffer the consequences of any failed tasks. With these high stakes, the characters slowly turn on each other in a fight for survival.
Panic Button is more of a thriller rather than horror genre, in that throughout, the main feeling installed in the audience is one of creepiness - which is understandable due to the prominence of social networking and how the permanence of internet utilisation can lead to information in the wrong hands. As you are introduced to the alligator, essentially the villain of the film, and the destructive 'entertainment', you are positioned to sympathise with the characters, as cringing at shared secrets seems unavoidable. This film is a lot more of a psychological horror - although not in the same league as Shutter Island, which obviously was created to be twisted and testing. Conversely, as the tensions build to a crescendo, some gore is introduced and the characters become savage in their desperation to save family members.
The actors are mainly unknown, a common feature of horrors as the lack of 'A-listers' helps aid believability and perhaps increase the realism for the audience and therefore interactivity as the actors seem like 'normal' people and are relatable. The acting is somewhat stereotypical, in that (Jibson) plays a perverted Dave, a gent trying to relive his twenties and is very outgoing and over the top. Having said that, I still found the film engrossing and enjoyed the unusual plot with some twists that maintained the pace.
Summary:
- Worth a watch, a different take on a 'horror' in the sky
- Some unusual ploys and twists that make it fairly interesting
- Strange villain and motivation
- Character Max is weirdly endearing
- Will make you think twice about your internet browsing!
No comments:
Post a Comment