DVD Review: Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever
Cabin Fever 2 (2010)
Studio: Lionsgate Home Video
DVD Release Date: February 16, 2010
Directed by: Ti West
Cast: Noah Segan, Alexi Wasser, Giuseppe Andrews, Marc Senter, Rusty Kelley
Review by: Marc Patterson
It’s the film Ti West disowned. It’s the film series that put Eli Roth on the horror map, but yet strangely enough a series he didn’t return to. It’s none other than Cabin Fever. It’s both loved and hated by horror fans, and now we have this… a sequel to contend with. Cabin Fever 2 starts right where the first one ended. Dead kids, infectious water, and an epidemic on the verge of massive breakout. This time the water from that contaminated pond has been bottled up and shipped off to a sleepy little town just in time for prom, and before anyone can figure out what the hell is happening all hell breaks loose. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cabin Fever 2 is shot in a style that places it in the 80′s, a decade that Ti West shows he has a real knack for imitating with near unmatched expertise. Giving a nod towards the seemingly ageless 80′s slasher films of yesteryear Ti West once again hits the nail on the head rendering a fashionable flick that’s fun and entertaining from beginning to end. From the camera angles and shot set-ups, to the use of color, the film exudes pure 80′s with a modern twist. I really expected a more blatant nod toward Carrie when the blood really started getting stirred up, but such a nod would have made the film more of an homage; thankfully, I think Ti West wanted to go in his own direction. Indeed, the blood soaked dance floor presented was far a more satisfying twist.
As you may suspect from my comments thus far, tonally Cabin Fever 2 is a vast shift from the first. It’s markedly more bloody and more comedic, and takes on a look and vibe that is completely its own. Not that this is a bad thing. In fact, in some ways this is the film the first one should have been. The shift in tone and look helped make it a bit more fun than the first, and thanks to some rather icky set-pieces (wait for the diner scene with Larry Fessenden, or the skinny dipping scene in the school pool, and especially keep your eye on the deranged janitor), the film should manage to stand up well in the long run against the endless slew of “prom films” out there.
Acting wise the film was rather brilliant, considering what it is. From Noah Segan to his Carrie-esque friend portrayed by Alexi Wasser (see image above), right down to the bullish Marc Senter (always a hit), the film was well cast and surprised me with quality acting that exceeded expectations. Same as the first film, Giuseppe Andrews returns as the eccentric sheriff who ultimately discovers what’s behind the grisly deaths and sets out to rescue everyone from their inevitable fate. He alone could have carried the film, but everyone equally contributed to make this a true ensemble cast that kept the ego’s checked and allowed for the non-stop action to flow seamlessly.
However, outside of the various fast-paced action sequences the film seemed rather poorly put together in terms of the various cuts, and placement of scenes, that lent to an air of disjointedness. It wasn’t so obvious as to put the viewer off, and in the grand scheme of things it worked, but there was a noticeable hint towards the underlying distress that accompanied the entire post-production process. Again, Ti West seems to have washed his hands of it, so I would have been really interested in seeing his true cut (not the questionable so-called directors cut I saw), but I can’t point fingers. I can only critique what the end product was, and while it wasn’t a perfect execution it was a hell of a lot better than what I thought it would be.
As much as I would love to take a side and dismiss this film, it’s not something so easily done. And as I said, that’s not my job. All things said, Cabin Fever 2 was fun, dumb, and fully amusing. It’s the perfect film to watch when you’re looking for some good messy, yet mindless fun. Do yourself a favor and rent it first though.
