Customer Reviews

Ginger Snaps Back - The Beginning

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Once again we are treated to the lycanthropic likes of Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and her sister Brigitte (Emily Perkins), and are not disappointed. This time, Ginger and Brigitte are travelling alone in the snow in the 1800's after their boat was sunk and their parents drowned. An older Indian woman, a seer, warns them to "kill the boy or one sister kills the other." Without thinking too much about the warning, they move along on their path through the woods. As chance, and a bear trap, would have it, the two end up in the hands of a hunter (Nathaniel Arcand) who leads them to an outpost where things are clearly not going as well as they could.

The girls are informed that a hunting party set off to collect supplies and rations, but has yet to return. Furthermore, strange animals have been attacking the outpost. Animals that bear some resemblance (via tattoos and other discernable markings) to the members of the hunting party that had left months ago. In addition, the leader of this outpost has his own secret that will place Ginger and Brigitte in a less-than-desirable position that will test the bounds of their sisterly love for one another.

Yes, the same actresses return for this film, and yes, they bear the same names as the sisters in the previous films. Is there some kind of time warp or reincarnation tale at work here? No. I suppose the viewer is supposed to take the coincidences as merely that. Coincidences. As odd as this sounds, it really does work quite well, and makes this movie a stand-alone addition to the trilogy.

The sets are highly atmospheric, haunting, and sinister. The costumes are just as well done, and only add to the creepy, gothic feel of the film, as does the score. I really loved the combination of these elements. If you've seen the previous two films, then I need not even discuss the talent these two actresses possess. The whole feel of this film is very different than that of the previous two films. Different, but still equally as dark and brooding. If you have already seen Ginger Snaps: Unleashed, and were somewhat disappointed with it in comparison to the first film, fear not. Ginger Snaps Back redeems the vitality and originality of the first film. If you have yet to see any of the Ginger Snaps films, then you are missing out on some excellent werewolf movies. In a genre strewn with cheesy cliches and over-done make-up, Ginger Snaps is a breath of fresh air.

Overall, this is a great film that really shouldn't be missed. One needn't view the previous two tales in order to understand and appreciate this film, though it of course doesn't hurt! This is an outstanding end to the memorable trilogy, and belongs in every horror collection.

The Ginger Snaps films are some of the most imaginative, well done werewolf movies since Howling and AWiL. While the first is a true horror classic, the second movie was very dark, yet uninteresting. The story started out good, but deviated too much from the werewolf theme and delved too much into drug addiction... Which brings me to the third and unfortunately FINAL entry. This film was much better looking than the second and very close to the first. The cinamatography was excellent and captured the feeling of cold, isolated 1700's Canada well. The techniques such as the fast motion photography used to set up atmosphere prior to the wolf attacks was nicely done. While I cannot say that the movie had a better look than the origional because they are both completely different settings, time periods and stories, the production value was of the highest quality. The creature effects rival any werewolf film ever made. The story, contrary to what the other reviews say, was well concieved. Yes, it did draw upon the first movie quite alot. There was a purpose in this as this story is forshadowing of the next two entries. My wife found this confusing and rightfully so, it can be if you are not in the right mindframe. I will give you some hints as to how and why this "rehash story" works. First, ask yourself why does Ginger have to get bit. The effects of the change are identical to the origional movie, continuity is good. Second, what does the "curse" have to do with the setting. The name of the fort is Fort Baily (Baily Downs). In order to end the curse or prevent it in the first place, Ginger needed to kill the boy BEFORE she was bit. It made no difference if she did so after. The curse is in the blood already. Now, one sister must kill the other. Bridget must kill Ginger. She does not... At the end both girls are sitting together. Both have cut hands, a reference to the first film. Ginger has given the curse to her sister. Direct foreshadowing of a neverending curse. Therefore, the curse continues in Baily Downs until one sister kills the other. (Without becoming a werewolf herself) This will manifest itself in the next two films. Ginger again will pass on the curse to her sister before she dies... You need to look at these films with an open mind. You need to understand some of the folklore behind lycans. Almost all of what popular culture attributes to lycans was created for the 1942 movie The Wolf Man. None of it is based in folklore. If you want a repeat of every other werewolf movie with lots of meaningless gore and killings and a basic storyling, watch an 80's flick. If you are interested in folklore, storyline and atmosphere, check these films put.

Until the year 2000, discussions about Canadian horror usually revolved exclusively around the dozen or so films of David Cronenberg and little else. Then came the release of the original Ginger Snaps which was a shot in the arm for the Canadian horror industry, a unique tale of werewolves in a bland suburban setting. A sequel followed 3 years later and while it did not have the raw emotional power of the original it still proved to be a worthy successor. The third and final chapter of this trilogy, "Ginger Snaps: The beginning" is a prequel set in the 19th century that attempts to explain the nature behind "the curse", as main characters Brigitte and Ginger like to refer to it.

During the winter of 1815, two young sisters named Brigitte and Ginger get lost while crossing a forest in the Canadian wilderness. When Brigitte's ankle gets stuck in a bear trap thus seriously injuring her the two seek refuge in a Fur Trading Fort occupied by several men. The hospitable fur traders are more than glad to help but warn Brigitte and Ginger not to wander outside of the grounds because of the "beasts out there in the woods". Still, Ginger gets bit and is slowly changing into a werewolf (similarly to the original). Brigitte and Ginger thus plunge back into the forest in an attempt to locate a mystical medicine woman who lives in a cave and may know a cure to the disease...

The first question that comes to mind is what in the world are Brigitte and Ginger doing in 1815? Well, it's not about time travel or anything like that the producers simply wanted to make a prequel and decided to keep the two main actresses as lead roles and give them the same names. With this third entry, the series has definitely taken a radically wild turn of direction. This movie is really nothing like the first two entries and I suspect that's why many fans are likely going to be disappointed by it despite the fact that it is an excellent film by its own merits. The last time I can remember a series taking such a dramatic shift in style while keeping the same central characters was "Army of Darkness" and like that film, this risky move succeeds brilliantly.

Period pieces made on a low budget are always difficult but this film has amazing costumes, the characters speak with the right accents, you just really get that feeling of being in that time. The native Indian characters, the scenes of striking Canadian wilderness replete with bitter cold and snow and the fact that the action takes place at a fur trading fort give the film a supremely Canadian feel. I also thought that bringing back Katharine Isabelle to reprise the role of Ginger was a major plus. The bond between the two is as tight as ever and the two are able to convey the same intense heartfelt emotions they did in the original film. The annoying character of "Ghost" in the second movie was a very poor substitute for Ginger so it's great to see her back.

Overall a great film however it is better to consider it as a stand-alone film than a sequel because of how radically different it is. People hoping for more of the "alienated teenage goth girls in suburbia" feeling of the first two films will want to look elsewhere. However those who get a kick out of gory werewolf action and period horror pieces such as "Ravenous" will love it.

Set in the country's past, two sisters get lost in the north-west woods. First they are befriended and warned by an old Indian woman. Then they are rescued by an Indian hunter and taken to a trading fort where the residents appear to be under siege.

The siege comes from very dangerous animals in the region. They are large and wolf-like and have been killing off the fort's personnel. Brigitte and Ginger arrive fulfilling a prophesy about the Red and the Black (their hair colors). They quickly come to learn what is going on but not before Ginger becomes infected and starts her transformation.

True to the series, Brigitte is again the star and deeply dedicated to her sister. They share some sort of hidden past that is never revealed. But with the coming transformation, it seems to tie in with the mother's actions in the first film. Whatever the connection, we never really find out.

This one was good by itself but didn't seem to really fit the series. Only a few extra explanations would have tied it all up nicely (maybe another film is in the pipeline). But by itself, it is a nicely dark fantasy that really reminded my of Ravenous. If you like Ravenous, you should enjoy this one.

This film's predecessor,"Ginger Snaps 2--Unleashed," was a competent but uninspired effort: a typical sequel. In contrast, "Ginger Snaps Back" is a significant film--but hardly a sequel at all.
The first two "Ginger Snaps" installments took place in contemporary Canada, mainly in suburbs and city; but "Ginger Snaps Back" is set in the Canadian frontier wilderness of nearly 200 years ago. Furthermore, in the earlier films (particularly the first) the two sisters Brigitte and Ginger share a complex relationship--loving but mutually antagonistic: Ginger's cynical death wish keeps her at odds with Brigitte who would stay alive (and human!) at any cost. In "Ginger Snaps Back," however, the girls have been simplified: they've become fairy tale orphans wandering through a monster-infested forest.
Early on in the film, the sisters find shelter in a militaristic fort/outpost run by some very hard guys--misfit toughs who resemble ogres just waiting for victims to approach their lonely castle! Significantly, it's in this dubious refuge that Ginger is infected with lycanthropy. Thus with monsters lurking outside the gates as well as within, the film plunges toward a fiery but despairing climax.
Overall, "Ginger Snaps Back" conveys a thrilling atmosphere of folklore and legends--an ancient eeriness more easily felt than described. Even the film's snow-covered forests radiate a sense of centuries-old Indian myths; appropriately, the film's Indian characters, including a larger-than-life hunter/warrior, identify the werewolves with the wendigo.
As a work of folklore or fairy tale, "Ginger Snaps Back" tends to be less verbal, but more visionary than the preceding films in this trilogy. Startling, beautiful images abound in this movie. Just one example: lovely Ginger in her black hooded cloak, with vamp fangs and raptor claws, flinging open the gates of the fort to admit the besieging werewolves. As the creatures surge forward and around her, Ginger stands as an icon of demonic ecstasy--comparable to the robot doppelganger in Fritz Lang's great "Metropolis"! Of course, that comparison alone should indicate the imaginative power flowing through "Ginger Snaps Back."

This is the third installment of the Ginger Snaps trilogy. I saw this one before I saw the first Ginger Snaps. I was impressed and am glad I watched it. Actually, it was recommended to me by my sister. I enjoyed the movie. So I decided to get Ginger Snaps. Now all I'm missing is the second installment "Ginger Snaps 2". One thing I'd like to add is that the werewolf scenes are EXCELLENT. I didn't expect this when I first saw the title. All in all, a good movie to watch late at night with the lights out and some buttery popcorn by your side. Good plot, good acting. Watch and enjoy.

This was oh so freaky, but I can't get enough. I certainly want to watch the next ones. I loved the setting, really brings the spooky mood to the surface, and it didn't end the way I'd anticipated. A bit bloody in some parts, but more suspense than gore. Great horror flick with a fabulous plot!!! Reminds me of the old style fables...
Chrissy K. McVay - Author

It is winter the early part of the 1800s on the outskirts of the Canadian frontier. Orphan sisters Ginger and Brigitte Fitzgerald find themselves lost in the woods when a native young man rescues them and brings them to a nearby fort, the last remains of a settlement of fur traders. It seems its population has been cut down quite a bit by dangerous creatures roaming the wilderness. But there's also a dark secret within its walls that most of the men themselves are not even aware of.

The original film used lycanthropy as a metaphor for growing up, while the second alluded to drug addiction. This film is a straight-ahead horror movie (or a dark fairy tale, if you like.) It's a disappointment, especially considering the second film was exceptionally good. It should have stopped there. I give the filmmakers credit for choosing not to continue the story in a traditional fashion, but the story they came up with is completely uninteresting. It could have been kept afloat by the two heroines of the film if only they had any of the personality they possessed previously, but they are given very little to do or say this time around. Emily Perkins is reduced to glaring at everything, a mannerism that was endearing before but now is simply irritating. Katie Isabelle's role is even further diminished. Except for a nice comeback in the final act, she barely seems to be there at all. There was more substance to her role in the second film even though she only appeared as a shade. The clever and witty dialogue we used to hear is forsaken for a lot of mystical mumbo-jumbo about dreams and visions. The film takes itself entirely too seriously.

It's a shame because it's easily the best looking film of the three. The photography is beautiful and the production quality is top notch. There's just nothing to hang it all on.

You don't necessarily need to have seen the other films to understand this one, but if you haven't then you'll likely wonder what all the fuss has been about since this probably isn't going to impress anyone. See the first and second for sure, but consider passing on this one.

Not having seen the second movie in this trilogy, it may be inappropriate to fully assess the impact of this prequel. Set in 1800's, GINGER SNAPS BACK is a beautifully filmed movie. Director Grant Harvey's use of lighting, colors and costuming is marvelous, lending a truly eerie feel to the proceedings. The special effects of the werewolves is substandard, but the movie doesn't rely on them to provide the terror. As in the first film, the relationship between sisters Brigitte and Ginger is outrageously close. In this film, Emily Perkins' Brigitte isn't as forceful and dominant as in the first; Katharine Isabelle is beautiful and a capable actress. The film did seem anachronistic at times, with modern language (the f word, 'prick') seeming out of place. The cast of lesser known actors is also very good. I plan on viewing the second movie in this series. As for this one, it's effective and competent film-making, and whether it actually ties in to the other two, I'll have to wait and see.

Ginger Snaps Back - The Beginning is pretty unique in that it's a prequel set in the wild frontier days of Canada. The Fitzgerald sisters (Ginger and Brigitte) are drifters who through providence and a bear trap end up taking refuge in a fur trading outpost named Fort Baily. Problem is an Indian woman has warned them "One sister will kill the other unless you kill the boy". Turns out there are werewolves surrounding the camp, and one of them is the son of the guy who runs the place. Ginger gets bit, and the story continues from there in the tradition of the other two movies. Great cinematography, costumes, and two actresses who know these parts inside and out help push the movie into the very good category. Its radically different from the other two, but still a lot of fun and actually stunning in a lot of ways. It'll never eclipse the first one, but remains interesting.

The DVD is loaded with extra features compared to the other releases. You get bloopers, cut scenes, production features and a great commentary with the director and producer. It's not a sequel in the traditional sense, but if you haven't seen the first two you won't get some of the jokes and you won't realize why the girls are so close.