Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009)
I had mentioned in the review of Cabin Fever that I was going to be taking a look at sequel shortly but I took a quick break with reviewing my current favorite horror film, The House Of The Devil, first. Why would I do this? Well there is clearly a method to my madness. Ti West, who did The House Of The Devil, directed this little gem. He also co-wrote it with Joshua Malkin and Randy Pearlstein.
I suppose if you are going to do a horror movie done in an older time period bringing Ti West in was the absolute best move they could go with. While I was a bit hesitant at wondering how Ti would address the blatant overuse of blood and gore that was used in the first Cabin Fever he showed he can do a fun B styled horror movie just as well as one that focuses on suspense. This is two movies under his belt that are just outstanding pieces of work that draw on the roots of older horror themes.
The movie itself begins with a police officer who was involved in the original story, Winston, cleaning up after another survivor who was hit by a truck. We are quickly after that shown in an amazingly well done cartoon style that is completely reminiscent of the 80's how the disease was able to spread through a water company to a nearby school. We flash to the school and are introduced to our lead characters. It's the day of Prom and a combination of a group of friends and acquaintances are gathering to prepare for the night. While most of this group are planning on staying in there are a few that want to go and show us that most end up there.
At prom the infected bottled water is being rapidly spread through the student body as it has been used in the punch that everyone is drinking from. The amount of creative uses of this disease as well as the gore that is used completely reminds me of a classic B movie. One of the first instances of the gratuitous blood involves a pool scene which I'm sure everyone will love. One warning though - soon after though we are shown the government has been made aware of the water supply being infected and the entire school is locked down.
There is a scene that every single male watching this will visibly cringe at. It wasn't necessary to add in and is Ti's cruel joke on us all. That's my only explanation. Seriously you'll briefly hate him for the scene before being drawn back into the story.
Ti closed the film with another 80's styled cartoon that showed how they could lead it into a third movie or end it where it's at. While I am loving Ti's stylized almost time period pieces I hope he is able to tackle a modern day or paranormal film with the same form of style, currently in the works Ti has a comedy being made and more importantly for what I just said a horror film about two employees that work at a haunted hotel. While it's not planned to be released until 2011 I hope he is able to do a paranormal movie as the two I've just gone over were amazing pieces of work and I cannot wait to see where he goes with it.
