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Title: Better than they say it is
Review: Professional critics have never given this film its proper respect. Much is made about the gorefest special effects and their alleged domination of other film elements.But this movie has a lot more going for it. Begining with the opening scene, confusion decends on the ill-fated outpost. Mistrust degenerates into paranoia as the trapped explorers realize they are unable to tell who among them remains and who has been replaced. Nothing is as it seems. Slowly characters and audience alike realize there is no way out. To his credit, Carpenter doesn't invent one. Yes, the effects can be rough, especially on the young viewer (remember the R rating). But this film is more than just an excuse for movie slime. It's a study in claustrophobia and worth the view. Moreover, the DVD format nicely fits the bill as previous VHS versions were disappointing. There are too many dark shots for video tape. The current release benefits greatly from the superior detail offered by DVD.
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