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Loosely
based on true events, Writer/Director Greg McLean's feature-film
debut is an unrelenting look at what happens to three
adventure-seeking teens when they traipse across the Australian
Outback to check out a huge crater in Wolf Creek National Park.
By flaunting the fact that Wolf Creek is "based on
true events," McLean immediately attempts to ratchet up the
tension and emotional impact of his film by letting his audience
know that "real people experienced the horror you're about
to see." A fine idea, to be sure, and one that's been used
countless times in the history of horror cinema. The only real
problem here, however, is that the only thing we're sure is real
about Wolf Creek is the very germ of the story.
The other problem is that, despite proclaiming that his film has
some basis in truth, McLean's three main characters really just
aren't that interesting. Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath), Ben
Mitchell (Nathan Phillips), and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) seem
so cookie-cutter from the start of the film that it's hard to
feel any real emotional connection to them. We've seen these
characters before in other (and often better) horror films.
They're dumb enough to fall into the stupefying predicament they
find themselves in halfway through Wolf Creek, but
immediately resourceful enough to give the bastard a run for his
money. Making matters worse are their untimely pop-culture
references. You'd think that if these characters had seen that
many movies, they'd probably have seen their situation coming a
mile away.
 
McLean,
nevertheless, deserves credit for crafting a stylish and grisly
independent film that shows off his knack for gorgeous shots and
brutal violence. Reminiscent of films like The Texas Chainsaw
Massacre (although nowhere near as good), Wolf Creek
attempts to juxtapose the serene beauty of vast open space with
the anxiety and horror of dirty, cramped dens of hell. Every
attractive, spacious shot of a sunset over the Australian Outback
makes Mick Taylor's (John Jarratt) camp seem all the more
claustrophobic. Now if only McLean had been able to craft a bit
more story to go along with his knack for cinematography and
penchant for gory violence, his film would have been much better
off.
With
only so much story to go around, and a script that certainly
could have used a good polish, Wolf Creek meanders
around for the first hour or so, lulling its audience nearly to
sleep. It takes McLean way too long to get the action going, as
we watch Liz, Ben, and Kristy go through the motions of getting
their trip together, hitting the road, and getting to know each
other a little better. Not to mention an unnecessary romantic
subplot between Liz and Ben, which not only provides no resonance
for its characters, but ends up going absolutely nowhere.
Where Wolf Creek shines, however, is in its absolute
relentlessness in achieving what it sets out to do. It may not
actually fully achieve its goal, but the film makes some
interesting choices that I didn't expect. When McLean finally
decides to amp up the action, and we get down to the real meat of
the story, John Jarratt takes center stage and creates a
character that is going to be remembered in the horror genre for
quite some time. Jarratt's Mick Taylor is such a despicable,
grimy human being that watching him slice off a few fingers is
nothing compared to his creation of a "head on a
stick." It's a tough scene to watch, and one that will
certainly make the gorehounds happy, but it does a lot for
creating the only truly memorable character in the film.
 Wolf
Creek treads on some familiar territory – and Greg
McLean probably leans a bit too heavily on his influences –
but it's worth watching for nothing more than the fact that it
relentlessly pursues its subjects. Just when you think the horror
is over, there's the creepy Aussie to put you through the paces
again. The film fits fairly well into the exploitation genre and
provides some truly tense moments, punctuated by a terrifically
frightening performance by John Jarratt that is reminiscent of
Rutger Hauer's work in The Hitcher. If you enjoyed Haute
Tension, chances are there are things you'll find to like
about Wolf Creek (that is, if you can get through the
first hour or so without nodding off). The film's certainly not
the second coming of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, like
McLean might have you believe, but Wolf Creek is
effective enough at times to warrant at least a rental when it
makes its way to your local video store. |
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