I enjoy horror films but before subscribing to “Cineworld Unlimited” I probably wouldn’t have paid to see this one. With a couple of hours free over the weekend I decided to attend a showing.
The trailer promised an entertaining experience and I know it’s a remake of an original 80s film. While I haven’t seen the 1984 original, this version perfectly captured the early 80s period. It looked so authentic you almost wondered if it was an old film rather than a remake. The overall presentation and dated graphics during the film added to the enjoyment.
The films story is straightforward, lead character Billy witnesses his parents murder by a killer dressed as Santa when a child. Later in life, he then seeks revenge by going on his own killing spree – killing naughty people. He then also finds time for a relationship with Pamela.
When original released, the film was seen as a controversial movie due to its depiction of Santa. While I definitely won’t be watching the original, this remake is an enjoyable film for anyone who likes average horror. Despite being an 18 certificate, I did not find the film that gory and don’t believe it was particularly graphic in my opinion apart from one stand out scene with mass murder and a gun..
The instrumental music really enhanced the atmosphere as the film progressed, building tension and supporting the acting and story. It was an easy watch but lacked significant scares or unexpected moments. It was a typical slasher film and I expected it to be more full on than it actually was.
If you enjoy horror, you’ll likely appreciate it but be warned – it’s an 18-cert horror film that’s more serious than your average funny horror. Given the abundance of Christmas films, it’s refreshing to find something a bit different. I can only recommend if you like horror films but if you are into this genre, it is worth watching.
Film Rating
Music
4 out of 5 (instrumental)
Story/plot
2 out of 5
Acting/Performances
3 out of 5
Overall
3 out of 5
Certification: 18
Running time: 96 minutes
Screening type: 2D
Leave a Reply