17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One more reason to dread overnight parking, February 16, 2008
First off, this is an easy movie to criticize. Most small budget horror flicks are. I mean, really, how much can a director do in a dimly lit parking ramp? Quite a bit, I found. Don't over-analyze and you're in for a good time.
This is the type of fun romp that originally got me interested in the genre while I was growing up in the '80s. There's no overly complex plot, amazing effects or numbing backstory here - just a psychotic guard, a mean dog, a killer Cutlass, a busty blonde, the chase and 85 minutes of run time. Think of it as Duel confined to an underground ramp and you pretty much have the basic concept. Convincing and talented performances by the two leads are just icing on the cake.
Obviously meant for a Christmas release (I can't find the reason why it was pushed back 11 months or pulled 1 ahead), this movie was rushed out of most Minneapolis-area theatres the week following its arrival. I had to scramble just to catch it on the big screen a second time. Yes, it's that good. In fact, I'd put it right up there with Grindhouse and 28 Weeks Later as one of the best horror releases of 2007. The blood splattered image of a hip-swivelling Wes Bentley miming "Blue Christmas" into a mop handle alone is worth the price of admission.
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Predictable, yet chilling horror flick. Definitely entertaining!, April 6, 2008
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A deserted parking garage. A young woman working late. A sociopathic parking attendant. Put these three elements together and you have one chilling horror flick that is just a bit too real for comfort.
Who among us has never felt that slight prickling of fear when you suddenly realize you are alone in a darkened garage - just enough trepidation to cause you to pick up your gait a bit as you hurry to the imagined safety of your car?
Working late Christmas Eve, Angela rushes to her car as she tries to salvage what is left of a holiday evening with her family. One thing after another happens, and poor Angela is stranded in a locked building, her only companion a slightly creepy parking attendant, Tom.
But Tom is more than slightly creepy - he is a veritable lunatic, and he has set his sights on Angela. Soon Angela's situation turns dire as she finds herself not only stranded, but in a battle for her very life as Tom gives full reign to his madness.
Although she is used to being taken advantage of in her day-to-day life, both in business and her personal life, when the chips are down Angela is no one's victim, and she does whatever it takes to stay alive.
While `P2' is fairly predictable in its plot, it doesn't lessen the effectiveness of it, not one whit. You'll still jump in your seat at each new heinous act the villainous Tom commits. Predictable it may be, but this is one undeniably entertaining film.
What I liked best about `P2' is that there is some logic to the plot. I cannot abide horror films that expect a suspension of disbelief without supporting the unbelievable aspects of the story, such as a killer who seemingly can't be killed. Such is not the case with `P2'. Every action, every reaction is grounded in reality. I can imagine this actually occurring. While Tom may be two steps ahead of Angela through most of the film, he is definitely not indestructible, and Angela soon turns the tide against him.
Add to that a heroine who never once suffers from the `too-stupid-to-live' syndrome, but instead grabs hold of her destiny with both handcuffed hands and wrests her freedom from the man who would take both her liberty and her life, and you have my kind of movie.
I have to say, having watched `P2', I am very grateful I don't have to park in a parking garage very often. I have a feeling that I will not be at ease in one for quite some time.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Guy Needs A Break From Those Exhaust Fumes..., October 8, 2008
Tom (Wes Bentley) is a parking garage attendant. He's also a very lonely guy. He sets his sites on a girl who works in the high-rise office building above. Her name is Angela (Rachel Nichols) and she is the one for whom Tom has been waiting all of his life. His dream-girl. This could lead to a beautiful and touching love story. Fortunately, Tom is a madman w/ unnatural ideas about human relationships! It's Christmas time, and Tom has gathered up the courage to make his move. Alas, poor Angela isn't going to make it to the family x-mas party. She may not survive the night. P2 is a thriller that makes the best of it's limited location. Some inventive ideas help to heighten the tension while not being cliché. The elevator scene is a good example of this. I didn't foresee the tactic used by Tom in order to get Angela out of the lift! It was brilliant and different! Unlike movies such as REST STOP, this one has interesting interaction between the killer and his victim. It also has actual suspense and a woman who uses her grey matter for more than just skull filler! Angela is no dummy! She utilizes whatever she can get a hold of to battle for her survival. Tom is dangerous and pitiful at the same time. His mental ups and downs are jarring without being ridiculous. P2 is a fabulous late-night's entertainment...
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