Though it might be the cheesiest, most ridiculous horror films since 2001's Valentine, Prom Night still served as an enjoyable experience at the movies for me.
After surviving a horrible tragedy three years ago, Donna is still having terrifying nightmares when she sleeps. However, after finally showing some progress, she is set on enjoying her last year of high school. And with her senior prom fast approaching, Donna is bound and determined to make it the best night of her life. But the night isn't all about what Donna wants as the man responsible for her nightmares is back, and this time he is out for revenge. Trapped with nowhere to go, Donna and her friends must outwit the maniac and make it out alive, or else the night that she has always waited for really will be one 'to die for.'
Starring the irresistible Brittany Snow, Prom Night is nothing close to a great film, in fact it could easily be classified as one of the year's worst. Yet, for some reason, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whether it was the cheesy, over the top take on classic horror styles by director Nelson McCormick or the outrageous predictability that the story revealed; either way, the film wasn't great, but it sure was fun.
The first thing I loved about Prom Night was its style. Remaking the original 1980 film by the same name, Prom Night stuck to the style and look of the past by keeping things simple and somewhat pleasant. There were no out-of-nowhere twists as the film was well confined within itself and really allowed the viewers to enjoy it for what it was worth and not have to spend the entire time hiding behind clasped hands.
In addition I have to give the enticing Brittany Snow props for recreating a role made famous by the scream-queen herself, Ms. Jamie Lee Curtis. Taking what she has, some talent a lot of head-turning looks, Snow played her cards to perfection, letting her beauty lead the way as she brought a misinformed teenager to the big screen. Her actions and innocence were classic as she played the typical 'damsel-in-distress,' without even the slightest hiccup, creating a character that every guy wanted to date, yet by the end of the film no guy wanted to be associated with.
There you have it, all the good things that you get when you purchase a ticket to see Prom Night.
But there are also some bad aspects to the remake, including a less than great script. Plagued by uneventful activity and easy predictability, Prom Night never has a chance at scaring or even startling its viewers. In addition, the death scenes are about as anti-climatic as watching grass grow. In fact, there were moments where the death scenes took longer than sixty seconds and I figured that the editor had fallen asleep and let the tape run too long "“ there was simply no other explanation.
However, with all that said, I must admit that I enjoyed Prom Night. It wasn't because it scared me out of my mind and it definitely wasn't for its brilliant composition, but rather for the fun and exciting experience that it gave me. The film is not for anyone, and in actuality it is probably for hardly anyone; however, I enjoyed it and hope that you do too!
