House of Wax

Review By: Rob Alicea
RobAlicea@TheCinemaSource.com

House of Wax pretty much starts out in the same way all its predecessors do – giving us the, you guessed it, traumatic back-story of the film’s baddie (Brian Van Holt who performs double duty as two brothers) who was born as conjoined twins. At a young age they are separated and much like another hit blockbuster out this May, will cause one to go down a dark path, and the other be the classic “good twin.” This story arc is a perfect flank for the film’s other set of twins, One Tree Hill’s Chad Michael Murray as Nick, and sister Carly played by Elisha Cuthbert, from 24 and The Girl Next Door – Murray in the role he was destined to play – “bad boy,” and Elisha, as the good twin with the face of an angel.

Joined by the object of Carly’s affection and Nicks aggression – Wade (Jared Padalecki), Paige (“acted” by Paris Hilton), Blake (Robert Ri’chard), and Dalton (played by Jon Abrahams), the group sets out on a weekend getaway to catch the hottest college football game of the year, but when a spontaneous idea comes to camp out in the woods, its going to be every man/woman for themselves.

House of Wax is surprisingly enough, NOT your typical teen slasher-flick. Well, ok, maybe it is, but it’s a definite shot above what has been released in recent years. In a word, it’s just plain SCARY. Bravo to the sound effects team to add in the subtle noises which make you jump just as a character is about turn around; we all know that cheap ploy which gets us every time!

House of Wax is a horror movie for hardcore horror fans. The film gives homages left and right – from being stalked while camping to being cornered in a boiler room ala Jason and Freddy, the film definitely shows respect for its elders. The film even has a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” feel to it – which is not apparent necessarily visually, but is on THAT level as far as the terror you’ll feel while watching it.

Don’t worry, House of Wax never pulls its punches when it comes to things like comedy, and well…punches. Non-stop action, courtesy a much buffer Chad Michael Murray and perfectly-timed jokes by Abrahams, House of Wax is definitely well-rounded enough to stand the test of time as one of the better horror film re-makes of our generation. And in case you’re wondering, Wax makes fun of Paris Hilton and her OTHER infamous movie just as much as you probably do.

Movie Grade: A-

House of Wax is Rated “R” by the MPAA for “horror, violence, some sexual content, and language.”

About the Movie:

A group of friends on their way to a college football game falls prey to a pair of murderous brothers in an abandoned small town. They discover that the brothers have expanded upon the area's main attraction - the House of Wax - and created ...