Aug 2015
I didn't like Chemistry in school. I know lots of kids found it interesting, but something about it bothered me. I guess because I was such a history nerd, chemical warefare was always at the back on my mind. The effects of napalm, agent orange, chlorine gases etc etc. That's some scary shit. Chemicals mixed with the wrong ones could be so disastrous for humanity, it scared the hell out of me. And it still does. If I ever have to do some hardcore cleaning, you bet your arses I read the backs of the detergents. You don't want that stuff burning your hands and knees while scrubbing. You don't know what effects that sh!t will have on you if you use them wrong.
So, when I visited a video rental shop today, a movie titled "Chemical Peel" stuck out instantly. I figured it'll be a fun watch so I grabbed it without even looking at the back. Yes I totally judged this book, or in this case movie, by its cover and I have no shame. None I tell you! And considering I rated this movie a 7, it didn't do too badly either.
Chemical Peel is about a group of girls who go away for a Bachelorette party in a nice little secluded cabin. At the same time, a train carrying some dodgy substances crashes and the said substances mix, creating a reaction that affects the whole valley these girls are staying in. From then on, things get a little, uncomfortable. And by uncomfortable I mean bloody gross. But first, let me tell you the cons of the movie.
Con number one, the characters are pretty lame. It's hard to relate to many people here, there aren't too many characters you can take seriously. As a horror movie, they've taken stereotypes, the "okay, we need a laid back girl, a bitchy girl, a quiet nerdy girl, a badarse girl ...etc etc". I reckon if they had made the girls a bit more relatable, when the bad things start happening, we'd be a bit more emotional. That said, there is at least one or two I kinda liked, so there is something going, but don't expect any unique characters with great acting, so it's pretty basic here.
Not to mention, a lot of the characters are pretty annoying, and kinda stupid too. I actually can't understand why anyone is even friends with the bachelorette who's the quintessential cunt of the movie. Seriously, she's taking the piss out of everyone, why are you guys even friends?!!!
They also took some time with the build up. Because the characters weren't that interesting, I didn't care much about their backstory's so they could have trimmed some stuff out. A lot of their build up was kinda lost on me.
But, I will give the movie makers this, the build up, though long, does pay off. This movie was gross. Really gross. So gross and disgusting, I actually didn't like it. Not because the movie was bad, but because it kinda sickened me. We all know what happens to people when invisible gases get into your lungs and start burning you from the inside. Think about that sentence, that's goddamn terrifying. I'm not even talking about the movie here, that stuff happens! And it's a perfect scenario to make a horror movie because a concept like that allows for plenty of gore. Not blood, but pure disgusting gore! And on top of that, there's always the prospect that this could actually happen. Forget about even chemical warefare, think about negligence within chemical companies. Hell think about chemical waste! It's not like you can just throw out these chemicals when you're done with them, how the hell do you get rid of them!
Fans of Cabin Fever (another movie that gave me the heebie jeebies) will no doubt see some similarities with this one, minus the humour of cause. I can see many people seeing this as a pretty average movie but it kinda got under my skin. In fact the thought of chemicals burning under my skin makes me feel a bit queasy. And I like to pride myself on being able to handle extreme and gory stuff, so when I start squirming in my seat you better be squirming with me. Cos there's apparently only two things that get under my skin. Chemical burnings, and maggots. I fucking hate maggots!
So, thought I'd give this flick a holla. It's not great by any means, the characters do kinda suck and it's not anything new, but it's gross and freaky and it's bound to make you cringe, so if that sounds like a keeper then go for gold.
7/10
Here's a trailer for those interested.
Thanks for reading guys. Feel free to add your thoughts and opinions here.
So, when I visited a video rental shop today, a movie titled "Chemical Peel" stuck out instantly. I figured it'll be a fun watch so I grabbed it without even looking at the back. Yes I totally judged this book, or in this case movie, by its cover and I have no shame. None I tell you! And considering I rated this movie a 7, it didn't do too badly either.
Chemical Peel is about a group of girls who go away for a Bachelorette party in a nice little secluded cabin. At the same time, a train carrying some dodgy substances crashes and the said substances mix, creating a reaction that affects the whole valley these girls are staying in. From then on, things get a little, uncomfortable. And by uncomfortable I mean bloody gross. But first, let me tell you the cons of the movie.
Con number one, the characters are pretty lame. It's hard to relate to many people here, there aren't too many characters you can take seriously. As a horror movie, they've taken stereotypes, the "okay, we need a laid back girl, a bitchy girl, a quiet nerdy girl, a badarse girl ...etc etc". I reckon if they had made the girls a bit more relatable, when the bad things start happening, we'd be a bit more emotional. That said, there is at least one or two I kinda liked, so there is something going, but don't expect any unique characters with great acting, so it's pretty basic here.
Not to mention, a lot of the characters are pretty annoying, and kinda stupid too. I actually can't understand why anyone is even friends with the bachelorette who's the quintessential cunt of the movie. Seriously, she's taking the piss out of everyone, why are you guys even friends?!!!
They also took some time with the build up. Because the characters weren't that interesting, I didn't care much about their backstory's so they could have trimmed some stuff out. A lot of their build up was kinda lost on me.
But, I will give the movie makers this, the build up, though long, does pay off. This movie was gross. Really gross. So gross and disgusting, I actually didn't like it. Not because the movie was bad, but because it kinda sickened me. We all know what happens to people when invisible gases get into your lungs and start burning you from the inside. Think about that sentence, that's goddamn terrifying. I'm not even talking about the movie here, that stuff happens! And it's a perfect scenario to make a horror movie because a concept like that allows for plenty of gore. Not blood, but pure disgusting gore! And on top of that, there's always the prospect that this could actually happen. Forget about even chemical warefare, think about negligence within chemical companies. Hell think about chemical waste! It's not like you can just throw out these chemicals when you're done with them, how the hell do you get rid of them!
Fans of Cabin Fever (another movie that gave me the heebie jeebies) will no doubt see some similarities with this one, minus the humour of cause. I can see many people seeing this as a pretty average movie but it kinda got under my skin. In fact the thought of chemicals burning under my skin makes me feel a bit queasy. And I like to pride myself on being able to handle extreme and gory stuff, so when I start squirming in my seat you better be squirming with me. Cos there's apparently only two things that get under my skin. Chemical burnings, and maggots. I fucking hate maggots!
So, thought I'd give this flick a holla. It's not great by any means, the characters do kinda suck and it's not anything new, but it's gross and freaky and it's bound to make you cringe, so if that sounds like a keeper then go for gold.
7/10
Here's a trailer for those interested.
Thanks for reading guys. Feel free to add your thoughts and opinions here.
