Directed by: Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang
Written by: Mark Wheaton and Todd Farmer

With: Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller, John Corbett, Evan Turner, Theodore Turner

Review By: Larry Stanley

I missed the special sneak on this one. Pity; I think it would have been even better had it been seen by me at night.
"The Messengers" is a PG-13 horror film virtually destroyed by the MPAA that was released today, Feb. 2nd.
The thing is, you already know that a "PG-13" horror film is not going to have most of what 'Today's Horror Fan' is seeking.
Probably no nudity, so no boobies guys; the gore will be kept to a minimum, and even the language will be held to a much
stricter standard then something like "Devils Rejects" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre."
Which means a lot of you have already made up your mind on this film. Your loss, my friend. While the story is common to the genre, that of a family moving to a spooky new house way out in the country after a series of troubles in the 'Big City", in this case Chicago, and the trouble stemming from dad not being able to find work to the oldest child (Jess, played by Kristen Stewart) being busted for DUI and involved in a car wreck that almost kills the infant child.
For this, Jess is forced to face the fact that she caused a trauma in the boy resulting in his not speaking since the accident and a wall being built up between herself and her mother, Denise played by Penelope Ann Miller.
Now, out in the middle of nowhere, in a strange town and with only only one real friend, Jess must confront not only her past, but her trouble present with her own family.
Dad has moved to North Dakota with the intent of being a farmer and growing Sunflowers. He hires a drifter named Burwell to help
around the farm and with the harvest. Meanwhile, Jess and her little brother have begun to see horrible things in the house,
resulting in even more distrust and anger since not only does no one else see the events, but there is no evidence of the things that have happened. Even when Jess is injured her family thinks the wounds are self inflicted.
The questions however are many. Why are these things happening? Who or what is the reason behind them? Why is the banker so interested in the house and trying to buy it back? Does he know what has happened? Does he just feel guilty? And even more important, how long has this been happening?
Penelope Ann Miller, who I think still looks great, did a very good job as "Denise" the sometimes put-upon wife and often misunderstanding mother, and John Corbett as the handyman pulled pulled his role together in a way that did shock me.
I have to admit, I expected a different outcome for both Denise and Burwell. Nice to be shocked sometimes.
Dylan McDermott does a very nice job as the dad who is trying to keep his family together through all the tough times.
He has a few moments that really drive home his need to keep going, and he changes a possible dead end role into a dramatic one. But it is William B. Davis who is used as almost ominous character, always turning up when least expected and unfortunately not used more in the film.
Kristen Stewart is the main star, and does her job exceptionally well. She plays the 'teenager who screwed up and is trying to make good' role very well. Her emotional range for what she had to do was extensive but she pulled it off like someone with years more acting under her belt.
The bad? Outside of a very emotional and shocking first scene, with Jodelle Ferland most of the 'horror' scenes are of the usual, common type. I honestly saw nothing I would call Original in the entire film. Most of the shock scenes were, albeit well done, telegraphed,
with the audience knowing that something was coming. So, why do I recommend it?
Why do I tell people to go watch it?
The Pang Brothers, Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang have been involved in Asian horror for almost a decade and have worked on three of the most amazing films I have had the pleasure of watching, The Eye, The Eye 2 and Bangkok Dangerous. And right now Oxide Pang Chun is working to bring his film "The Eye" to American audiences. I can hardly wait.
Now, why is it that I recommend a film based on these two? Because they understand what horror is about. These two men have grasped the idea that horror comes from an emotion, not just from a shock when a door is torn open. It is not just about guts strewn about a floor, it is the music in the background as that door is torn open.
While "The Messengers" will most likely not win too many awards it is still a first class film and well worth watching. And no, don't wait for the DVD to hit the stands.
Go see this one at the theaters, with the good speakers so you can actually hear the music in the background. Let it and the emotion of the images on the screen feed your inner horror junkie. Savor the flavor of a fine story, much like a fine meal. It is not just the salad (hot girls) or the bread (blood and guts) or the appetizer (spooky music) or even the main course (the unknown) or the desert (confrontation between good and bad); it is all of these together that make both and a decent horror movie.
And I think the Pang Brothers understand that.
Go, have fun. Savor it.