Movie Review: “The Collector”
Franck Tabouring
Seen on: July 31, 2009
The players: Director: Marcus Dunstan, Writers: Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan, Cast: Josh Stewart, Madeline Zima, Michael Reilly Burke, Andrea Roth, Juan Fernandez
Facts of interest: Dunstan and Melton also wrote the last three "Saw" films.
The plot: A handyman breaks into ah home only to realize he's not the only intruder.
Our thoughts: Fancy yet another round of totally brainless big-screen violence lacking suspense and innovation? If so, then I suggest you check out Marcus Dunstan’s latest horror flick “The Collector,” an ultra-monotonous experience that stole 88 minutes of my life but failed to offer me any thrills or surprises.
The plot of “Collector” is pretty straightforward: Josh Stewart stars as Arkin, a desperate handyman who decides to rob his employer’s country home while the family is away on vacation. What Arkin doesn’t know, however, is that a ruthless psychopath with evil intentions has checked into the house first…
While the main idea of two bad guys with different interests colliding at the same place sounds rather intriguing at first, “The Collector” fails to use this concept intelligently enough to create a horror movie with potential. Instead, what you get here is more of the same old torture formula you see in all those “Saw” sequels.
Essentially, there’s absolutely nothing remotely intriguing to experience in this sucker. Arkin quickly realizes he’s not alone in the house he’s robbing, and for the next hour or so, he tries to navigate the place looking for a way out without being caught or falling in of the nasty killer’s sadistic traps. It may sound vibrant, but it really isn’t.
As far as the dose of violence is concerned, screenwriters Dunstan and Patrick Melton made sure to include plenty of ridiculously bloody moments triggered by a series of knives, nails, ropes, fishhooks, etc. Sure, some of these scenes are ugly to watch, but they don’t carry any weight and they sure don’t have any purpose.
Freaky quote: "I don't think she's in the house" – Josh Stewart
The final word: That’s pretty much all I have to say about “The Collector.” “Saw” fans may find some fun in this film, but I spend most of it wondering why and how such a lame story actually makes it to the big screen. This movie is a bunch of nonsense, and I can only hope “The Collector” won’t return for a sequel.
Article by Franck Tabouring
Reader Comments (3)
I just wanted to speak on the film's behalf in reference to Franck Tabouring's comment that the film was "ultra-monotonous" and "stole 88 minutes of his life". I am a huge horror movie fan and I find like I'm sure many horror fans do that the horror movies that are coming out lately leave something to be desired. However, after seeing this film last night I needed to just let anyone interested know that is definately worth the money to see. This is the best horror movie I've seen since the first Halloween and it deserves that praise. I thought all the Saw movies were pretty lame because besides the traps and gore the stories were pretty weak. This movie has an awesome story in my opinion and the cast of characters are believable as are the situations they are placed in this movie. The acting is also really good in my opinion. the movie is believable. This is one of those movies that effects you the next day because it really moves you. I found myself really caring about the characters and I love the fact that hero starts out as a villian. The suspense this movies delivers leads up to action over and over and there are surely a few twists and turns that have you saying "you gotta be kidding me." If you like horror please see this movie. My girlfriend took off for Block Island on Sunday so I was home alone she didn't want to see the movie so I went by myself. Almost everyone else had a date to hold close or hide behind. The problem I found was and not to give the movie away but it has to do with a home invading psycopath who not only enjoys killing but he is smart and inventive even the way he handles the knife in some scenes was original and un-nerving. This movie has gore and I do not feel it was pervasive or pornographic in anyway yeah he wears a mask but it is not pornografic and has less nudity in it than halloween. Do not bring kids to this movie Saw is gory but a kid could watch it this movie is f***ing scary and will surely give you a nightmare or two. When I got home to my house I left a light on inside so it wouldn't be dark and when I got inside I realized that with her gone for the night I was alone. I started thinking why did I see that movie tonight. I did a quick walk around before bed and noticed the back door to the patio was unlocked!!. That was all it took and all I could think was that teh Collector was in my house surely ready to bring it on. Can you say sleep with one eye open? Thank my house is quiet because if I heard one bump or creak in the floor during the night I would have gone to a motel. That is how scary and intense this movie affected me, when this movie ended the small Sunday night crowd simply got up and walked out like we were all in shock. Nobody said a word once the movie was really underway, everybody was just transfixed on the characters and the situation I do not think I would have done what the star does in the movie. The movie is believable although some of the traps are a little over the top but not stupid like in Saw. i would see it again and will surely bring her next time. I have waited about 30 years for a movie deserving of this kind of praise so that is why I am taking the time to write this. This movie is scary much like the Strangers was but for some reason I just liked it more. Well that's it please go and enjoy it and do not listen to Franck's lame criticism if it. Who spells Franck like that anyway?
That's a wonderful essay you got there, and I am happy you enjoyed the film so much. And let me enlighten you: Europeans do often spell Franck like that. I sure hope you've heard of Europe before, and if you haven't grab a map and look for it. Yes, the world may be bigger than you think.
I hope to dear jeebus that we are seeing the end of "mainstream" torture horror porn. Why? It's become boring, easy, monotonous, empty, and just a quick cash grab. The "creative types" behind this appear to be mercenaries in this grim field, and, hopefully, as the audience for this crap dries up, so will the pocket books of the sick folks who finance it.