P2

A New Level of Fear

I have to admit – one of my weaknesses has always been the slasher film genre. More often than not they tend to be stupid, predictable and clichéish but they’re always entertaining and hardly ever disappoint. But don’t get me wrong – I would never go to a theatre and pay the regular $9.50 for one, but they’re good to rent or see on Comcast’s ON DEMAND HD.

Same goes for the Alexander Aja’s P2. It is predictable, yet very entertaining.

Plot: a corporate executive Angela (Rachel Nichols) gets stuck in her company’s parking garage (level P2) after working late on Christmas Eve because her car (3rd generation BMW 5 series) won’t start. Everything seems to be okay (at first) and she’s able to call a cab, but the parking garage attendant has other plans for her… after all, he is lonely and wants just a little companionship and love. I think everything else is quite self-explanatory…

Perhaps the noteworthy elements of the film are Rachel Nichols’ role as the protagonist Angela – the woman in captivity. She’s actually quite bright and does not seem to suffer from the stereotypical “stupid chick syndrome” so prone to the average large breasted slasher flick chick. Another one is the psychopath parking garage attendant (Wes Bentley from American Beauty) himself. This guy is so tormented and sick that at one point you may even feel a bit sorry for him. Or not.

* * * WARNING: mild spoilers ahead * * *

For those who have read Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, will remember that Al Neri, the cop-turned-hitman bodyguard of Michael Corleone got kicked off the force for using excessive force. Al Neri was convicted of manslaughter for beating a Harlem pimp and a drug dealer to death (shattering his skull) using an anodized aluminum Maglite. Does anyone remember that?

If you do, and if you’ve ever wondered how sickening the described incident would look like, then go ahead and watch P2. Wes Bentley really knows how to work a flashlight like that. It is actually so disturbing that I had to turn away from the TV for a second...


* * * (three out of five) -- Surprisingly good slasher flick with decent suspense, and some really gruesome violence.


V.

Enjoyed P2? Viira recommends: The Hills Have Eyes, Haute Tension or any other slasher film.


Poster courtesy of http://www.impawards.com/
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