DVD Reviews

The Descent

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Natalie Jackson Mendoza
• Details: UK, 98 mins, 18s.

When a group of fit women thrill-seekers head off into the middle of nowhere to go potholing you just know it isn't going to go well. Think of the first 15 minutes of Cliffhanger and then extend it, twist it, put it in the dark and add monsters. Our International gal pals head off on their bonding exercise one year after lead character, Sarah, looses her husband and daughter in a traumatic car accident. However, if you are expecting a story of redemption and rebirth you've rented the wrong movie. Tense and claustrophobic, this isn't cerebral cinema, but as you'd expect from the director of Dog Soldiers, it is fun while it lasts. It transpires the go-getters' friendships aren't as iron cast as they thought and that there is something much worse than childbirth. A good horror-adventure flick which personally made this reviewer rejoice in being a lard-assed sofa spud.

Rental extras: Some pointless cast and crew film commentary.

Review by Elaine Reilly