I just sat through 126 minutes of this movie with roaring, hammering roadworks happening right outside my window. I was still very much engrossed and looking forward to watching it when it's dark and quiet outside!
I've been waiting for this "nature terrorises mankind" adventure thriller for a year now, originally titled 'Red Machine'. I never did know what happened to it, until I stumbled upon the same cast and concept plastered across the DVD cover of a new movie on the supermarket shelf.
Lo and behold, the studio just decided to give 'Red Machine' this ridiculous alt. title, 'Into the Grizzly Maze', which makes it sounds like a hark back to 1970s Disney or stuff like 'Killdozer'.
In fact, 'Grizzly Maze' is an underrated return to 'Jaws', 'Anaconda' and 'Cujo', and it's really good quality, despite critical ratings.
Setting the tone, mankind is happily poaching bears and chopping down forests at will when one particular grizzly goes on the rampage. Our lead characters set out deep into the mountains on a rescue mission but end up being hunted themselves.
With an ecological message, our characters are at odds. Some of them are highly respective of nature and hate poachers. Others are in the business of killing and are morally ambiguous people. That just doesn't stop a giant grizzly hunting the scent of their blood as they're stalked through the mountains of Alaska, so they really have no choice but to do everything it takes to survive and to protect their town.
The cast is great. Thomas Jane being no stranger to being hunted by monsters over the years is a natural and James Marsden provides the fresher star pulling power. Billy Bob Thornton and Scott Glenn are right at home and then a surprising cameo from Adam Beach has me scratching my chin.
As for the movie's weaknesses, the special effects, writing or simplicity are neither of them. For authenticity, they used a real life bear for much of the movie's essential scenes, which at times is awesome and then other times - no doubt for safety's sake - made for some weak suspense, however it attempts something of a 'Predator' feel at times, which is enjoyable and somewhat suspenseful.
I also feel that the studio has left out a lot of footage because the movie's message isn't left all tied together. Maybe it was rushed, maybe they ran out of budget, but I'm sure as hell not demanding my money back.
Enjoy along with Jaws, Anaconda and/or Deep Blue Sea.
I've been waiting for this "nature terrorises mankind" adventure thriller for a year now, originally titled 'Red Machine'. I never did know what happened to it, until I stumbled upon the same cast and concept plastered across the DVD cover of a new movie on the supermarket shelf.
Lo and behold, the studio just decided to give 'Red Machine' this ridiculous alt. title, 'Into the Grizzly Maze', which makes it sounds like a hark back to 1970s Disney or stuff like 'Killdozer'.
In fact, 'Grizzly Maze' is an underrated return to 'Jaws', 'Anaconda' and 'Cujo', and it's really good quality, despite critical ratings.
Setting the tone, mankind is happily poaching bears and chopping down forests at will when one particular grizzly goes on the rampage. Our lead characters set out deep into the mountains on a rescue mission but end up being hunted themselves.
With an ecological message, our characters are at odds. Some of them are highly respective of nature and hate poachers. Others are in the business of killing and are morally ambiguous people. That just doesn't stop a giant grizzly hunting the scent of their blood as they're stalked through the mountains of Alaska, so they really have no choice but to do everything it takes to survive and to protect their town.
The cast is great. Thomas Jane being no stranger to being hunted by monsters over the years is a natural and James Marsden provides the fresher star pulling power. Billy Bob Thornton and Scott Glenn are right at home and then a surprising cameo from Adam Beach has me scratching my chin.
As for the movie's weaknesses, the special effects, writing or simplicity are neither of them. For authenticity, they used a real life bear for much of the movie's essential scenes, which at times is awesome and then other times - no doubt for safety's sake - made for some weak suspense, however it attempts something of a 'Predator' feel at times, which is enjoyable and somewhat suspenseful.
I also feel that the studio has left out a lot of footage because the movie's message isn't left all tied together. Maybe it was rushed, maybe they ran out of budget, but I'm sure as hell not demanding my money back.
Enjoy along with Jaws, Anaconda and/or Deep Blue Sea.