Customer Reviews

House of Wax (Widescreen Edition)

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(79)
3 star:		(55)
2 star:		(32)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

This is a good scary/suspense/slasher movie, so why should the critics like it? They usually don't anyway. I went into the theater expecting nothing and really liked the movie. Now take into account I have never seen the "original" (by the way this is not a re-make, it only borrows the name) so I had no idea what to expect. Ok, I really went to see it because of Elisha Cuthbert (total babe!) but after a few minutes I found myself into the movie. In this type of movie, it is a good idea to pick things out and remember them, and of coarse I did not. I would give an example, but I do not want to give anything away here. But I had to ask on a message board at imdb to find the answer and the movie fooled me. If you have not seen it, what I just wrote will make no sense so skip my last sentence. Anyway, I am not gonna go over what others have already beat to death, no pun intended, like how Paris dies and things like that. If you want to see a scary movie, then see this with NO expectations, and you should not be disappointed. I liked it enough to buy the DVD when it comes out.

At first, I wasn't expecting anything from this movie... I thought "well, here we go again for another stupid slasher with nothing new to offer".

But I was wrong. In fact I found this film to be a terrific new entry into the slasher genre.

The screenplay is very nice. I does not start to kill people right away.. it develops the story... lets you know ter characters... and THEN... just when you are dying to see some killings... it starts.

...And never lets go. The plot is better than you'd expect. Not the usual "six kids get to a wax museum". Instead they get separated in three groups (which opens the space for three almost-independent storylines). This may not look much... but in fact it allows the screenplay to build some plausability and complications. The characters come and go separate ways and the script creates great shock moments exactly at the moment different storylines meet.

And the killings... they are brutal, sadistic... and go beyond the usual "slash-and-you're-dead"... In fact (laughs) nobody dies at first. The screenplay takes the detail up to the limit. All the killings are beautifully constructed.

Without wanting to spoil the fun, I just should say this film goes further on the sadistic things the killers do. Much further than what was acceptable years ago.

I think this film brought new breath to the genre.

Casting is good, makeup is fine. Directing is solid, art direction is discreet enough... I really liked it.

Of course there are better films made 20 or 30 years ago. But this one sits along the best slashers in the last 10 years (if it is not THE best one in 10 years).

But beware! This film is very cruel! Maybe you would like to pass on it if you play the piano, if you love your fingers... or if you like to walk barefooted.

By the way... It has nothing to do with the 1953 Vincent Price version... just the title and what it suggests.

Obviously, this DVD is a great buy. Watch it alone... or with friends... with 2 tons of popcorn. Great!

I hadn't heard great things about HOUSE OF WAX. Knowing Paris Hilton was one of the stars, I assumed that the bad comments I read had to be right. But one afternoon, when I was incredibly bored, I decided to rent HOUSE OF WAX as a way to be entertained for the day. Boy, was I amazed to find that it was one of the most fantastic and creepiest slasher films I had ever seen. True, slasher films are usually terribly made, contain a plot that goes nowhere, and gorgeous actors and actresses. Though HOUSE OF WAX has many qualities of a slasher, it's an exception to the garbage everyone knows and hates.

Six teens (though Carly and her brother Nick are the stars) on their way to a football game find themselves victims to the evil that lies in an abandoned town. The only remaining residents are two murderous brothers--and those that they turn into wax sculptures. Now, Carly and her five friends must do whatever it takes to protect themselves from falling prey and becoming the next victims of the deadly house of wax. Although it doesn't take that long for you to figure out who's going to survive and who's going to die, you'll find yourself gasping with suspense when you see one of the characters drop dead.

While others may disagree with me on this, I thought the acting wasn't that bad. Elisha Cuthbert (Carly) played a great job as the heroine, and when Jared Padalecki (Wade) was in pain, so was I. And while Paris Hilton (Paige) definitely is not going to win an Oscar for this role, or for any role, but her acting wasn't that bad. The only acting problem I have is that Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray (Nick) had WAY too much chemistry on screen. They were supposed to be brother and sister, but at many parts throughout the film, I was getting the impression that they were more than just siblings.

I'm not the type of person who gets scared by horror movies easily, and in the daytime, I thought I wouldn't be frightened at all. But at many, many times, I found myself covered in fear. The gory parts are probably what scared me the most. The make-up person gets major props to pulling off some of the most hideous things I have ever seen. But the make-up person isn't the only one who deserves credit--the entire cast and crew do. HOUSE OF WAX managed to give me an interesting story, scare me, and present great actors. When a horror movie is able to pull off all of the above, you can tell that it's a winner.

I know there are many mixed reviews about this movie, mostly negative. I know some people might think I'm crazy for liking this movie so much, I probably am. But throughout this year, full of burnout horror films, I thought this was one of the best. This movie has a lot of adrenaline. So, once it starts, it doesn't stop(well it does stop when the movie is over, though)Everything that happens in this movie, makes you think. Every ankle that is slice and every fingertip you cut off, you feel. That's why I liked this movie. It was real horror. So, I advise you to go out and rent it or buy it, and see it for yourself.

This new version of "House Of Wax" bears very little resemblance to the original, released over fifty years ago. That right there means certain people are gonna be angry about it. And I'm sure it must pain fans of the original to see this updated version with Paris Hilton as one of the stars. Nevertheless, if you are just looking for a good, fun slasher, with a hard R-rating (believe me, this puppy earned it), you could do much worse. Forget that this is a remake, and you will probably find yourself being pleasantly surprised. And if you still aren't sold, look at it this way: You get to watch Paris Hilton die!

"House Of Wax," which stars Chad Michael Murray (from WB's...well, just the WB I guess) and Elisha Cuthbert (who is way sexier than Hilton, without even trying) tells the familiar story of a group of twenty somethings, on their way to a football game, who pull over for the night to set up camp and get a little R & R. However, an automobile problem, a broken headlight, and some damn stinky squirrels and deer, cause this group to wander into a town that time seems to have forgotten. The town, however, has one interesting feature, and that is the infamous House Of Wax. Not only is everything inside made out of wax (or is it?), the House itself is Of Wax. Of course, things go horribly wrong. Why does it feel like the wax figures can see us? Who was that outside the window? Why does that guy keep flirting and leering at my girlfriend? The movie plays out much like classic slashers such as "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and even more like the 2003 "T.C.M." remake. Not only are both remakes extremely pumped up from the original, but you will notice many parellels between the two, from the bizarre torture scenes, to the creepy towns people, all the bases are covered with this movie. If you are a genre fan, you can't help but enjoy this movie. It does try a few different things and will take you by surprise a few times. Heck, one major surprise is Paris Hilton playing someone with moderate intellect. When someone says "What's that smell?" she doesn't want to find out. When she is being chased by the antagonist, she finds a weapon, and uses it. Not just your average teen slasher/splatter flick. As far as the gore goes, this movie has an abundance of it, but I found the wax much more effective. On a list of worst ways to die, I'd put that at the top! And when will people realize, if you keep picking at it, it won't heal (watch it and find out)? If it's possible to have a fear of wax, this movie may put it in you.

So try not to let the seemingly shallow nature of this movie turn you away. Afterall, it's actually quite good, and it's refreshing, in a world of nuetered "PG-13" "horror" flicks, that a nice, solid "R" comes along and gives us the flanking we so badly needed. It's got it's flaws, and it does take a while for the film to build momentum, but if you want thrills, this one's got it. Just try not to cheer or laugh too much when Paris has her big moment...

frankly, when i heard paris hilton was in this i automatically assumed it would be the biggest heap of cow dung on film seen in 2005, yet i have to admit (even as a Paris anti-fan) this movie was pretty enjoyable. i love good horror movies, especially with good amounts of gore, and this movie's certainly applied for that last department.

of course you already know it's not a masterpiece and not a classic by any means, yet i had a blast watching this on DVD, and for all (Paris-hating) horror nuts like me, you'll like this one. if you like blood, suspense and gory fun, this is definitely worth a viewing.

When I saw that Paris Hilton was in it I was expecting to see an okay B movie (did u c her in "Nine Lives"?) but I was pleasantly surprised that she does a decent job in the movie. This is a very awesome horror movie and its only negative points are that it follows some cliches and starts out slow.

Overall: 4/5 stars

This movie was just not that good. I'm not sure what the budget was for this, but when you have a billionaire in the cast, you'd think they might have asked to borrow some. Make no mistake, do not confuse this movie with the 1953 Vincent Price classic of the same name.

A group of young people are heading off to a college football game somewhere in Florida. Instead of driving on through and getting there early enough ("We can't miss this game!!!"), they camp out. And I mean camp out, instead of the night, it looks like they brough enough camping equipment for a week. They pulled over because they were tired, but they set up this huge camp, play football, and deal with a mystery pickup truck.

SO of course morning comes and they sleep in. Looks like one of the fan belts got cut sometime in the night, so half the group goes to the game, while the others get a ride into a nearby down from the friendly road kill man.

Of course now we have the trap set as one by one they end up in town and get offed. Well when they say 'House of Wax' they really mean it. The house and everything in it is made of wax. Can you believe it? A three story wax house that survives in the SOuth Florida sun? Also, the town is deserted except for wax figures in the church and a house here and there.

Well you already know the secret I'm sure. The wax figures are real people. SO who's doing this? A pair of psychotic Siamese Twins. Yes you read that correctly. Put a KFC chicken bucket on the twin that wears the mask, and presto, you have Buckethead.

The movie had very little scares or frights, unless you are a 10 year old girl. Most of this movie is just Paris Hilton making out with a really ugly black guy, and an angry white boy who looks like a modern day Vanilla Ice.

It's best if you don't look at House of Wax as a remake of the Vincent Price classic, as the two have very little in common. Still, it's hard not to go into this movie with a slightly negative attitude, given that whole "remake" stigma and the fact that Paris Hilton plays a significant part in the story. Personally, I pretty much expected to be disappointed. The first half hour didn't do anything to change my perspective, really. You've got a stereotypical group of young people camping out in the woods on their way to a big football game, and you eventually start asking yourself, "Wasn't there supposed to be a whole House of Wax thing in this movie?" There's a menacing truck kind of thing, but that's about as scary as cutting your fingernails. Still, you do get to know the characters a little bit - not that you would really want to know most of them. The only interesting character is Carly (Elisha Cuthbert), a seemingly smart young lady with an actual future. She's unhappy because her friend Paige (Paris Hilton) and her loverboy invited her brother Nick (Chad Michael Murray) and his loser friend along on the trip, as it sort of puts a cramp in her lifeless style of her boyfriend Wade (Jared Padalecki). Nick's supposedly a tough guy with a prison record, living up to his label as the evil half of the Jones twins.

Nothing really happens until Wade wakes up to find his car has been damaged. While their friends head off to the big game, Wade and Carly make their way to the nearby town of Ambrose, home of the once-famous Trudy House of Wax, in search of a fan belt. They should have known things just weren't right when they found the town basically deserted, with Whatever Happened to Baby Charlotte? listed on the marquee of the local movie house. Wade's a real nosy Ned who thinks he has the right to trespass anywhere he pleases, including the closed wax museum. The pair do manage to find a mechanic eventually, though, which sounds like a good thing but really isn't - because that's when things finally begin to take a rather gruesome, bloody turn. In time, all of the major characters find their way into the increasingly surreal town of Ambrose - but all of them do not make it back out. As you can probably deduce by the title, the designated bad guy(s) here are much too lazy to make wax sculptures from scratch - it's just so much easier (not to mention more lifelike) when you can just cover an actual person in wax.

Much to my surprise, this actually turned out to be a pretty good slasher film. The problem, of course, is the fact that we're so inured to slasher films that it's almost impossible to make a really effective one anymore. For me, the whole situation never managed to generate a truly effective sense of menace. For one thing, there's no mystery as to who the bad guys are; even Shaggy and Scooby Doo could have figured this one out, since there are only two people in the whole town. Wax or no wax, we've seen all of this before. Some of the deaths are fairly entertaining, though (although I would have preferred more gore and a more direct look at the actual killing moments).

These aren't the brightest kids you'll ever see. First off, they go and take a shortcut on their big road trip - that always lead you to some detour into the heart of hillbilly monster country. When they should be running, they choose instead to try and hide underneath the nose of the killers, and, naturally, they actually keep going back into danger to try and find their missing friends. If I ever find myself in a ghost town full of wax dummies, hunted by some sick freak wanting to add me to an exhibit in his wax museum, I'm going to run until my legs fall off. After all, friendship means not having to say you're sorry when you leave your buddies behind to die horrible deaths. I don't guess that would make an interesting movie, though.

I guess I should address the whole Paris Hilton thing here. Believe it or not, she is not the worst actress in Hollywood; you aren't going to spend any time at the water cooler telling your buddies what an incredible performance Paris gave in this film, but she isn't all that bad in a role such as this. She could never have handled the primary role of Carly (since, after all, we're supposed to root for Carly to survive), but she's quite acceptable as fodder for deranged killers.

I've been looking forward to this movie for a while. Not because I had particularly high expectations for it, but because it feels like a long time since a by-the-books, rated R slasher movie has been released theatrically. The influx of PG-13 rated horror movies has left me feeling slightly queasy.

So...what did I expect from House of Wax? Predictable plot, mediocre acting, decent gore...basically I expected it to be dumb, but watchable. So I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw. The kids in this movie aren't your typical hare-brained idiots (well, except for one of them, who is shockingly stupid). They genuinely want to survive and fight to do so. Even Paris Hilton turns in a decent performance. It would be hard to screw up the role she is given, but still she plays it well enough.

On to the gore. This movie deserves its R rating with enough slashing, gashing and horrific injuries to make me wince. The death scenes are definitely above par here, and are likely to have you shifting uncomfortably in your seat.

House of Wax isn't a masterpiece; the beginning set-up takes waaay too long and gets to be a bit boring. But once the action gets going, the movie gets good. It's also not terribly original--it follows standard slasher conventions and rules about who will survive, etc...but it's definitely worth seeing.