18 August 2006
Pulse
By: Bjag
The trailer indicates that this is another standard teen horror flick a la Scream and the like. Despite this I went to see it and was pleasantly surprised.
Pulse is rated 14A meaning it’s not a gore-fest. It is full of creepy sequences and effects. Similar to The Ring in this way. Even the trailer had enough disturbing images that Tina “watched” it through closed eyes and ears.
The story starts off focussed on a small group of friends but quickly escalates and becomes a globe-spanning horror. It had the feel of a zombie movie. Bad stuff is going down everywhere but we get to see how a select few deal with it.Â
Occasionally, the absurdity of the plot breaks through. The ghosts/creatures are coming into our world from another dimension via any technology that sends and receives signals. Mostly computers, cell phones, etc. It’s a commentary on how our need for connection is killing our way of life or something like that. Not important.
It has a decent cast. I don’t recognize the lead actress from anywhere but it also has Christina Milian, Boone from Lost (Season 1), and a special appearance by Brad Dourif. Not too shabby.
Mild spoiler alert. The ending is ambiguous which I prefer in my horror movies. Similar to old Cronenberg movies. It does have an odd T2-esque final monologue and sequence but that’s forgivable.
I enjoyed it although not everyone will like it.
