Customer Reviews

Dark Rising

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The best things this movie has going for it are the cast and the production values. Cast issues are obvious. Production values are surprisingly high, and take an otherwise bizarre, absurd concept into watchable territory. Frankly, the movie concept is not at all interesting, and will largely appeal to fans of D&D. Further, the gradual unfolding of the story leaves far too much to be wanted; it simply makes little sense and cannot rely on a David Lynch or Tarrantino level of artful telling to save it. There are a few scenes featuring battles with monstrous figures; the figure are, putting it mildly, laughably bad. Perhaps that was the intent (in an Army of Darkness kind of way, there are obvious parallels), but the whole thing just fails. So...the production values (i.e., image quality, camera work, etc.) are good enough to make this watchable, just don't expect a thriller.

I originally bought this movie because Cure Gravity (the Oshawa rock band) sings 'So Amazing' at the big finale. For sure it is a 'B' movie. But it is a good one. If your into scantily clad women running around slaying monsters and then having a big party to celebrate, then this is for you.
Finally it actually has a pretty good story line but gets corny a lot.

I didn't know what to expect when I bought this movie. I was surprised! It was a real hoot. It's campy in the same vein as anything by Bruce Campbell. Jay Reso (Christian from the WWE) shows he has a real talent for doing movies. His sense of humor shines through. There's good looking dudes, lesbian love scenes, a demon with his organs on the outside and a girl with a battleaxe. This movie has everything a night with a beer and a bowl of popcorn demands for a fun evening! Kudos!

This movie is a fantasy-horror-comedy that could have been a Bruce Campbell production. In fact, the leading actor, Landy Cannon, could pass for Campbell's younger brother. If you have ever seen a Bruce Campbell production, then you understand precisely what I'm talking about and what to expect. For those not familiar with Japanese television, Doguchan (Kodai Shojo Doguchan) was a popular series about a woman demon hunter played by a young, amply-endowed actress in a bikini-like costume - exactly as in this movie. At the beginning of the Japanese program, a caption thoughtfully cautions the viewer that the following is "Junk Drama." Neither this movie nor Doguchan takes itself seriously, and neither should you! Just sit back, put your brain in neutral, and enjoy the fun!

Dark Rising is one of the campiest films I've seen all year! I have a hard time knowing whether it's the kind of campiness that's appealing to me on some unexplainably goofy level, or just downright pathetic.

The film actually stars WWE wrestler Christian. What a surprise it was to see him staring in something so outrageously bad! Then again, his WWE character seems to fit in perfectly with this kind of over the top storyline.

Want me to explain the storyline? Okay, I guess I can do that... I think. Wait wait... Alright, I'm ready to explain it.

It's about a warrior princess (no, not Xena, but someone JUST as hot!) who goes back and forth through portals from the normal world to some demon-infested world. The demon is literally a regular guy dressed up in a monster costume with fake blood and fake teeth, LOL. At least the movie writers have a big sense of humor.

Anyway, a group of young adults (who happen to be dealing with their OWN unbelievably far-fetched situations) encounter one of those demons in the woods. Luckily for them, Xena-wannabe lady is a GOOD warrior! She fights to protect the innocent!

It turns out that, because of her good looks and her supermodel body, and the fact that one of the young adults happens to be a good lookin' guy, the two of them hit off a relationship... but not before the guy learns that his high school sweetheart prefers women over men. Yup, I *told* you the young adults had problems of their own! This takes up a good portion of the storyline as well.

WWE wrestler Christian plays the young adult too, even though he's by *far* too old for that particular role by this point in his life (plus his face is lookin' pretty beat up these days).

I just find it absolutely hilarious how the writers tried making the problems involving the young adults seem *just* as important as trying to figure out how to survive a horrible night in the woods involving a killer demon on the hunt for human blood! At times it was like the young adults and their typical relationship problems were more important than simply staying alive, LOL.

The storyline is so unbelievably OUT there that you can't possibly sit there and tell me you were really interested in it. Don't EVEN tell me that!

So yeah, this is one of those "It's so bad, it's good" type of films. I believe Dark Rising fits that description right on the freakin' money.

Be careful not to stir up any princesses with axes or demons with a craving for human flesh while watching Dark Rising! You may be the next unfortunate victim!

This movie is basically a Grade B movie, hovever if you just want to gawk at Brigiite Kingsley in barely there outfits this movie is for you. She is a remarkable uber hottie of a different type. If you are hetro it's worth a few bucks to buy this flick.

Just terrible. I threw the DVD away. No acting, no originality...this one is a total waste of time, effort and money. One star...one very DARK star...that will never rise.

So bad that a week after viewing it, I couldn't tell you a thing about it other than it was really bad. That's saying a lot from a guy that likes, or at least tries to find value in any movie I watch. Acting can be bad. If it is bad enough, then the movie could have merit for that. You get the idea. I couldn't find anything about this movie to make it a "watch this if you ..." Just no redeeming qualities at all.

Everything you want in a B-movie. I was shocked as of late, most of these flicks I've been buying have been horrible. This was very enjoyable. There was ACTUALLY a bit of production value in this. They spent some time & money on the bad guys, it was well lit (even at night), plenty of gags & beautiful women. Story was ok, could've used a little more depth in plot, but not much more. We really aren't looking for angst in these movies now are we? Plenty of comedy to keep it moving. Fight scenes were ok. Dont know if it was the actors or stunt coordinators lack showing. Jay Reso aka Christian Cane would've been nice seeing him do a few things as his wrestling background shows he can take a hit & do a fall. Alas, he's comic relief so can't have him "manning up". Overall I liked it a lot. Not quite up to Roger Corman or Andy Sidaris quality. 4.5 actual stars.

I was surfing the cable stations one weekend when I came across the last 30 minutes of Dark Rising. I said, "I have to have that DVD." Fortunately, I found it. The movie is a hoot, and the special features are interesting as well. Who would have thought that a pro wrestler named "Christian" (Jason Reso, if memory serves) would have the most intelligent comentary on the movie? If you are considering this movie, buy it. The movie starts off slow, but picks up speed as it goes, and the last half of the movie is too campy to be believed. Who thought of having Landy Cannon take out Christian using his own pro wrestling move ... the kill switch?