The Divide (2012)

Simply A Masterpiece

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The big problem with this flic is that it raises expectations of an action orientated narrative in the first act but then it doesn't just leave this element unresolved, the plot reverts to a Raft of the Medusa scenario. What we're left with is Five Go Loopy in the Basement (yeah I know there are eight). You know the kind of thing: there's no or little food, a couple of the guys start to go knutz blah, blah, et cetera, et cetera.Quite why people get the notion into their head that another, look at the monkeys degenerate into barbarism as they struggle to survive isolated from civilization, plot is a scintillating prospect for an original script is baffling in the extreme but there you go, it happens and with depressing regularity. Having thoroughly stuck the boot in, I must say that the performances are pretty good in this flic which is something of a consolation at least.

The Divide is utterly and relentlessly dark in it's expressions of the very worst of human behavior. It was difficult and repulsive to watch,yet I found myself unable to turn away....(much like just having to look at the roadkill on the road as you drive by) For my tastes, this movie had just the right amount of gore and violence to realistically tell the story. The acting over-all, was generally well done and believable up to, Id say, excellently done. The story/script had surprises and twists at every turn that I didn't see coming. (That is a major plus in my viewing experience and usually very rare) There is nothing that bores me more then to already guess what will happen....I didn't have that problem with this movie. This is not your typical, same ole' same ole' post-apocalyptic flick and although it seems professional critics looked down on this movie, I personally thought it was the best one of its genre I've seen in YEARS. Although for those of you that have weak constitutions I'd warn you to pass, but if you aren't afraid of looking at UGLY truths, Id say GO FOR IT! Im glad I did.

First and foremost, do not believe a word anyone who reviews this film as anything less than a 6/10 has to say. There is undeniably a lack of persuasive material at the start of this film; more could definitely have been made of the initial attack, the acting is by no means as compelling as that in the second half. However, this is a film very, very much for those who like to completely immerse themselves in the storyline and appreciate the effort put into a twisted one. What The Divide does so impressively, in my mind, is take your initial, average nuclear-detonation bunker survivalist meet and greet and turn it into something so much darker.The character development (more the character decay) throughout this film is some of the best I have seen in any horror. Multiple characters are seen to unsurprisingly lose their minds, but the fashion in which it occurs is truly harrowing. There are scenes I did not expect to come across in a movie with such despicable reviews. There is thought applied here on the filmmaker's part. Without wanting to give too much away, the deterioration of one female character's mind and body is almost troubling to watch. Sexual aggression is a theme rife throughout and it is not a film for those unaccustomed to such psychological torment.Most impressive in my mind is the total absorption of the characters in these actors. It is the closest, and for that reason, most troubling enactment of societal breakdown I can envision in such a scenario. So confined, so reliant upon one another... that can and does turn nasty. The make-up is very impressive bar a few, unfortunate details (likely to not even occur to those not looking) and the actions of the character in the final scenes are some I considered exciting, spontaneous, opportunistic and required where others did not. I would suggest those of that opinion do not possess the intellectual spread to appreciate her reasons for doing as she does.A fine, fine film. One I will not forget.

I thought this film was centred on a group trapped in a bunker versus an unknown enemy trying to get them following a nuclear event. In fact, this is just a small plot tool designed to set the scene for the true film plot. This film is actually the descent into depravity of a group trapped in a bunker. It's a film about secrets, insanity, group dynamics and how the situation evolves and ultimately slips into chaos. The acting is good, the set and costumes are low budget but the score is world class. The music really made me think it deserved a better film. The Divide is worth a watch as long as you know that 'the strange people outside' are little more than a mechanism and feature little beyond that. The end is predictable and will leave you unfulfilled for the time you've invested so in that respect, it's like a train ride to work, enjoy the journey because the destination isn't up to much.