Twelve years ago a man murdered his entire family in Garth Manor. Legend has it that one son did manage to survive though. Now, in present day (for the movie at least), four college pledges must spend the night at the Manor. Marti (Linda Blair), Jeff (Peter Barton), Seth (Vincent Van Patten) and Denise (Suki Goodwin) are about to stay in the Manor for the night. If they can do this, then they are in, simple as that. Even though no one has stayed there since the murders, they don't seem too surprised to find the place lit by candles. As they settle in, Peter (Kevin Brophy), Scott (Jimmy Sturtevant) and May (Jenny Neumann) get ready to play some pranks on the pledges that they have set up. Someone is on the grounds though, and this person doesn't want the others around at all.
Hell Night is one of those movies I have heard about at different times over the years. I never took it to be a "must see" movie, but I never really heard anything bad about it either. Since It was about to be taken out of instant watch, I figured it was a good time to watch it. Netflix doesn't carry the DVD, and doesn't even list the movie now that it isn't offered through instant watch. Surprising since the site usually lets you add a movie to your queue even if they don't carry it.
One of the first things I noticed about Hell Night was the pacing. It does take its time setting things up, and doesn't get in too big of a hurry once things start to happen. I liked this, but towards the end I was getting a little frustrated with it. Just when things start to get interesting, director Tom DeSimone slows it down again. I don't mind a slow paced film, but once it gets going, let it go! That was really the only thing I had to complain about. I was a bit confused by the ending though. It feels like some of what happens comes out of nowhere, but once you think it through you can figure it out to some extent. It would have been nice if writer Randy Feldman had been a little more clear about it though. Hell Night did have a couple of funny moments, especially with Seth. I had to wonder at one point why Seth only took one weapon when he had a choice of a few. If you have watched this one before, then I'm sure you know which scene I am talking about.
The effects was a bit of a surprise for me. I wasn't really expecting much, and got a little more. The effects aren't very gory, but there was still a couple of scenes that offered a nice surprise. I was a little disappointed that they weren't very gory though. When you cut someones head off and get no blood to go with it, it is hard not to feel disappointed you know? The acting was pretty good. I enjoyed the four main actors, and the supporting actors weren't too bad either. It was cool to see Linda Blair a little older now, but still in one of her early films. For the most part I thought she did the best out of the four, her reactions seemed more spot on, at least for me. If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to give it to Vincent Van Patten. If for no other reason than he could make his lines funny when I don't think they were always meant to be that way.
Hell Night was a fun film, and I'm glad that I was able to get around to watching it at long last. However, I didn't find Hell Night to be a great film. Maybe it is because I have watched plenty of films like this one over the years. I did feel the story could have been better, but it wasn't bad at all really. It does go a little long, which the pacing might have made it feel even longer. As I said, I am glad that I got around to watching it, and would gladly watch it again someday. If you are like me and have yet to see this, maybe it is time to do so. I don't think the DVD is still being produced, but I'm sure one could find it if they looked hard enough.
3 out of 5 Won't tell you what I had to do for my swim team in college
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