by Julianne Snow:
Synopsis:
Six tourists hire Uri, an extreme tour guide to take them to the abandoned city of Pripyat. In 1986, Pripyat was evacuated overnight when Chernobyl’s Reactor #4 exploded and melted down. Since that day, the city has remained devoid of daily life. During their exploration, they soon discover they are not alone…
Review:
I recently had the opportunity to sit down and watch the Chernobyl Diaries. It was one that I had wanted to see in theaters, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I never got around to it. Written by Oren Peli of Paranormal Activity fame, the plot was interesting and certainly original. As extreme vacations become more and more popular, it’s only going to be a matter of time before the silenced areas of the world begin to crawl with human life again. Having the ability to look back upon our mistakes is sometimes useful, but in the end, we may not find the answers we’re looking for.
The Chernobyl Diaries is a film that I very much enjoyed. The plot was intriguing and contained a twist I was not expecting. Essentially, the way that the story unfolded, you are led down a path of adventure, coupled with a little danger. It’s the danger that takes up residence in the pit of your stomach – c’mon it’s a horror movie, you know something bad is going to happen at some point. The tension builds and then suddenly, you’re faced with a series of terrifying and horrific events. It’s the same formula as many other horror movies, but this one if different in a few ways.
The location is something that is taboo, forbidden. The city of Pripyat can actually be considered a character within the scope of the entire movie. If you have ever done any research on Chernobyl or Pripyat, you’ll understand that everything was left in the last place it fell the day they had to evacuate. Going back in, even now, is like taking a giant leap back to that day; along with the creepy overgrowth that has started to reclaim the city. The city has a surreal empty feel to it which certainly adds to the overall tension. You have no idea what is hiding within the buildings or what secrets they have yet to unleash upon anyone brave enough to venture inside its limits.
While shot in a similar fashion to movies like Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project, and by that I mean that moments in the film are shaky as the action and horror picks up, the cinematographer himself is not a part of the cast. It has the same close quarters feel without the nausea inducing shake. And there are moments where you may forget that you are sitting in the comfort of your home or theater.
The plot and the characters are both well thought out. There is tension and laughter and a genuine fear that can be felt throughout. If you’re looking for a way to spend an engaging 90 minutes, I would highly recommend that you check this film out. If you’re a fan of films like Cloverfield, The Blair Witch Project, and Quarantine, you’re certain to enjoy this one as well.
DarkMedia contributor Julianne Snow was first lulled into the horror genre by her parents during an ill-advised viewing of Alien when she was only 4 years old. Since that date, it’s been a given that Julianne will watch and read anything that is horror related. Her short fiction has appeared in anthologies from Sirens Call Publications and Open Casket Press, as well as The Sirens Call and various other websites showcasing short fiction. She is the author of the Days with the Undead series, which can be found on her website dayswiththeundead.com. Her first novel, Days with the Undead: Book One was published in early 2012 and is based on her popular web serial. Find her on Twitter @CdnZmbiRytr.
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