Borderland (2007)
Review by The Dhampir
Hi Kids, The Dhampir here with a review for ya! This one is for Borderland, one of the Eight Films to Die for during 2007′s Horrorfest! This film is based on true events. Though “based on true events” in horror always leaves room for creative license!
Borderland starts off with three friends (three seems to be a lucky number for these types of films), Henry (Jake Muxworthy from I Heart Huckabees, Cradle to the Grave), Phil (Rider Strong of Boy Meets World) and Eddie (Brian Presley – Port Charles) heading off to spend their last few days before college in Mexico. The film follows the typical get-wasted-then-try-to-get-laid-and-get-into-trouble formula. Phil ends up falling for a hooker and the night before the happy trio heads back to the States, Phil heads off on his own to see his hooker (a rocket scientist, this one is!). He ends up getting kidnapped by a Palo Mayombe practicing drug cartel (Surprise, Surprise!) so that they can use him for a human sacrifice.
There is a sub plot in the film about a cop, Ulises (Damian Alcazar) seen in the opening scenes, who knows about Santillan (Beto Cuevas) the drug lord/priest of the cult who has been performing human sacrifices to gain spiritual power for the cartel. Ulises is obsessed with stopping the cartel after they murdered his partner. He ends up helping Eddie and his love interest Valeria (Martha Higareda, who is very easy on the eyes) while going after the cult for revenge.
This film is mired in the theologies of Santeria and Palo Mayombe, with much attention given in the set design to religion. The religion Palo Mayombe itself, is a darker “hardcore” version of Santeria, a blend of African shamanism, magic and other practices.
Shortly after being kidnapped, Phil meets Randall (Sean Astin – Rudy, Encino Man) who is his caretaker. Astin plays the role of cult follower and killer quite well. He adds some levity in a dark sense to the film. At one point he becomes the main antagonist of the film. Guess they couldn’t decide who they wanted the bad guy to be?
The camera work is fairly typical (yawn) in that it goes “hand held” at times when the characters are in danger or when they wanted to add a sense of tension to things. It remains in a locked fashion during the more serious and less “horrific” moments and times. Everything looks dirty and somewhat yellowish throughout the film, but that quickly gets lost as the viewer is drawn in.
Though Santillan is the antagonist most focused on by the film and the characters, Gustavo (Marco Bacuzzi, Requiem, Species: The Awakening), is more the antagonist of this film. He’s definitely odd looking in that Michael Berryman kind of way which adds to the sinister qualities of his character (Ooohh! Ahhh!), add to that the fact that he doesn’t say a whole lot and you’ve got someone to be afraid of in the movie.
The film plays greatly on American xenophobia and of the general distrust of Mexican policia and legends of their corruptness. Yet, I was not impressed with the film’s take on affairs between America and Mexico. If we didn’t already worry enough about “terrorism,” let’s help people distrust someone else. It also does not make the Mexican government look very good, though in the actual case the film is based on they worked very closely with American authorities to find the missing person (which led to the finding of the cult and over 20 bodies which had been sacrificed at the ranch). The “sacrifice” scene plays out as they have in countless other films where cults figure in, with members standing in a circle and the guru at an altar, no imagination or any real originality there.
What The Dhampir Liked:
1). Martha Higareda who plays Valeria, Eddie’s love interest and “Final Girl” is exceptionally nice to look at!
2.) The effects were practical as opposed to digital, which gives things a more realistic feel.
3.) The score was not made with the intention of selling soundtracks, which seems to be the only reason some movies have scores these days.
4.) Since it takes place in Mexico the actors speak Spanish and it is subtitled.
Things The Dhampir Didn’t Like:
1.) Palo Mayombe is never sufficiently explained to give the viewer an understanding of the cults motives.
2.) The actual case differed greatly. Here’s a link to read about it: Crime Library
3.) It’s more of a “Torture Porn/Revenge” film than horror.
4.) It stole the severed Achilles tendon gag from Hostel (and countless other films).
5.) Ceremonial magic is very structured, but it seemed as though they did little to no research for the sacrifice scene.
6.) Despite severed limbs and severe trauma, no one in this film, or any other “Torture Porn” movie, ever goes into shock, which betrays suspension of belief.
7.) It continues the tradition of “Stupid Decisions Made in a Horror Movie” when Henry is climbing out of a window and has the option of climbing down to the ground or going to the roof, he goes to the roof!
All in all it’s not an all bad film, and does have its good points. I would not recommend buying it, The Dhampir, That’s Me! says go out and rent it!
Available from Amazon
Watch the Borderland Trailer:
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