My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009, Patrick Lussier)

As I'm sure you're aware, 3D is back. The number 1 movie at the box office for the last two weekends in a row was Final Destination 3D. 3D is nothing new but until recently, the technology to create a 3D film that didn't give you a migraine or make you cross eyed seemed nearly impossible. Finally though, with this new Real D stuff or whatever it's called, you can now see 3D films that look great and don't involve expensive surgery to fix that lazy eye. Though not the first horror film in 3D, My Bloody Valentine, a remake of a classic Canadian slasher film from the early 80's, is the first in this new wave of eye friendly 3D horror films. Since the release of MBV and Final Destination, several new 3D horror films are in the works, including Piranha 3D and Halloween 3D. Can't wait.

My Bloody Valentine 3D begins with Harry Warden, a miner who goes crazy and kills a bunch of fellow miners at the old Hanniger mines. It was originally thought that Tom Hanniger (Jensen Ackles), son of the mine's owner, had killed the men when he forgot to close the methane lines which caused an explosion in the mines, but the bodies were found pickaxed to death. It is determined that Harry killed the men after the explosion so they wouldn't use up all of the oxygen. Harry Warden was in a coma after the explosion and wakes up the following Valentine's Day to begin another killing spree. Four teenagers, including Tom Hanniger, his girlfriend Sarah (Jaime King), Axel Palmer (Kerr Smith) and his girlfriend Irene (Betsy Rue), go down to the mine where the original murders occurred to find themselves being stalked by Harry Warden. They escape and Harry is thought to be dead. 10 years later, Tom comes back to town to sell the mines after his father dies. Shortly after, Harry Warden returns to get revenge on the town.

My Bloody Valentine 3D is an awesome re-telling of the original with eye popping (literally) effects and other crazy shit flyin' out at you. The story has been changed around a little and some new characters added, but the basic plot is very similar. The cast is all great, especially Jensen Ackles (from the current hit TV show Supernatural), Kerr Smith (best known from TV's Dawson's Creek and the first Final Destination film), Jaime King and the almighty Tom Atkins (Halloween III, The Fog, Creepshow, Maniac Cop and many others). The gore is top notch, the story is great, Harry Warden is one of the most iconic killers from the dawn of the slasher films and the 3D is impeccable and used to the full extent. The best surprise was the DVD, which is in anaglyphic 3D (the red and blue glasses kind). I have some other DVDs that use this technique and, to put it nicely, they suck balls. This DVD though is surprisingly clear and the 3D looks great. It does lose a lot of the color that the Real D format has perfected but it's still a great watch. I wouldn't say this film is better or worse than the original. I'd say that the weaknesses of the original are taken up a notch in the remake but at the same time, there are some things about the original that could never be improved upon.

RATING: 4/5