Cry_Wolf (Unrated 2005 film)

 

Could one of these be the killer?  Or are they all the prey?

It's a lying game.  The object: avoid suspicion, manipulate your friends, eliminate your enemies. - Dodger

A little late on this posting, I know, but had to do some unforeseen maintenance on my keyboard.  But, it's up and running now, so I'll be doing a twofer soon, two articles in one day.  For now, though, let's take a look at Cry_Wolf!

Sometimes it's hard for me to go into a review of a film without spoiling too much.  April Fool's Day was like that, and so is this one.  Both films also feature groups of somewhat well-off teens with alot of time on their hands.  I'll do what I can to not get too much into detail.

We start the film with a blonde, Becky, being chased through the woods at night.  She tries hiding in the shadows of the trees when her pursuer pulls out a cellphone and dials her number, causing her cell to ring and pinpoint her location.  Before the scene changes, Becky's stalker shoots her down.

We cut to a fall day as a young man, Owen, crosses a large school campus that seems to be abandoned.  Finally, he located the lovely Dodger sitting on a step.  Striking up a conversation with her, he discovers the student body's in an assembly regarding safety after Becky's disappearance.  A teacher suddenly comes through the doors and begins to question Dodger over her inattendance of the assembly when Owen speaks up for her.  After assuaging the teacher, and suddenly being swept up in the flow of students exiting the building, Owen turns to see Dodger has vanished.

That night, Dodger has Owen's roommate, Tom, bring him to the old chapel on campus for a game called Cry Wolf, where one player is the wolf and the others have to figure him (or her) out before the end.  After Owen wins, Dodger comes up with a new game the next day: create a serial killer based around Becky's death and reveal him to the school via a forwarded email.  After Dodger and Owen create the killer, Owen starts getting mysterious IMs from someone claiming to be the Wolf.  With the full moon and Halloween approaching, can Owen uncover the truth before he and his friends become wolf bait?

This film was interesting, but a bit slow in places.  The movie revels in the build to the finale, so there's very little blood or death scenes.  Some might find this fact dull and boring, but I actually did enjoy it.  Julian Morris (Owen) did a great job in the film as our protagonist.  He was also in 2009's Sorority Row remake, as well as Something Wicked, Brittany Murphy's last film.  Lindy Booth (Dodger) was really good here.  She was also in Wrong Turn, the Dawn of the Dead remake and Kick-Ass 2.  Jared Padalecki (Tom) was really good, I enjoyed his interactions with Owen.  He was also in the House of Wax remake, House of Fears, the Friday the 13th remake, and is probably best known for playing Sam Winchester on the TV series Supernatural.  Singer Jon Bon Jovi (Rich Walker, the journalism teacher) did a pretty good job, as well.  He also starred in Vampires: Los Muertos, one of the sequels to John Carpenter's Vampires.

All in all, an okay film, although one I enjoyed a little more on my first viewing.  I'm rating this one a 3 out of 5.  Tune in next time for a Sarah Michelle Gellar film that isn't The Grudge or Scream 2!  Until then, this is Red Hawk signing out!