Wither - aka Vittra (2012)
Studio: Artsploitation Films / Stockholm Syndrome Film
US Home Video Release: August 20, 2013
Director: Sonny Laguna, Tommy Wiklund
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewed By James M. Dubs
I am a natural skeptic. Therefore when Artsploitation Films advertises Wither as the “Swedish homage to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead” I immediately scream foul. We all understand why studios use this marketing ploy. They want us to make an immediate connection with a genre classic and think, “I loved Evil Dead, so this will surely be worth buying!” However, today’s movie going audience is a bit more sophisticated and understands such comparisons can equate to big disappointments, and in turn, create viewer doubt. So the question remains, is Wither the Swedish equivalent to Evil Dead or will it disappoint under over-reaching expectations?
Film [Rating: 2.5]
Amazingly, you don’t even have to play the DVD to find the answer to this question. Inside the DVD case is a nice 8-page, color booklet that contains 1) a thank you letter from Directors Laguna and Wiklund, 2) a brief intro to the film by author Ryan Clark, and 3) a brief Q&A with Laguna and Wiklund. In the first paragraph of Clark’s introduction he states, “Directors Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund make no grand attempt at profound arthouse cinema. It’s just another cabin in the woods movie – nothing more, nothing less.”
And ultimately that’s what really hinders Wither from being above average. Wither, if you haven’t guessed by now, is about a group of young men and women who decide to spend a weekend at an abandoned house and unearth some kind of evil nastiness. One by one, the squatters fall victim to the evil influence and become blood-thirsty monsters themselves.
Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead is not, “just another cabin in the woods movie.” Arguably, it is the cabin in the woods movie, because Raimi’s Dead has a maverick’s spirit infused with strong direction and a solid vision that is lacking from Wither. Comparatively, the directors of Wither clearly have a passion for what they are doing and love the genre, which is commendable, but their inexperience does them a disservice. Wither is at its absolute best for the first 29 minutes of the picture, during which the filmmakers take their time and allow for a slow pace – creating a brooding, atmospheric, creepy vision for what is to come. The cast of characters are all very likable and although they fall into your typical arch-types, the actors do a commendable job making them feel real enough that you might actually begin to care about the ensemble.
Unfortunately, the remaining hour quickly unravels once (as the liner notes describe) “the shit hits the fan” and our young directors fall into boring action clichés and shaky-cam tactics that offer little in suspense, but try to compensate with a lot of fake blood. Midway through the film I began to wonder if the director’s sole focus was on the effects, because the quality of practical and CGI effects improves while the acting seems to take a back seat to the blood once it starts to flow. The same likable characters/actors stop responding with the same go-getter, pro-active energy that brought them to the woods in the first place, and are replaced with passive vessels, content to sit around and wait for their grisly and untimely fate. It’s a major let-down, especially considering the first 29 minutes starts off so strong.
Here's my favorite exchange:
[caption id="attachment_7631" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Because waiting has worked so far...[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7632" align="aligncenter" width="546"]
Well...okay. If you think we should.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7633" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Yay! Freedom![/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7634" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Oh no! Water! Those stairs look awfully slippery.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7635" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Curse you rain! Your wetness has driven me to face the flesh eating monster.[/caption]
Video [Rating: 3.5]
Wither is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and generally looks good for DVD. Lots of work has clearly gone into the artistic look of the film in post. The image originates from a digital source with an overlay of added film grain, but looks good overall and may ultimately benefit from the lower resolution of DVD. Note: The 30-minute featurette reveals how they shot the movie, and frankly, I was shocked and impressed that the filmmakers made this film look this good with what they had.
Audio [Rating: 3]
Put on your reading glasses, because Wither is presented in Swedish with English subtitles, and a 5.1 surround mix to boot. It’s not a mix that will blow you away, but there is some good movement through all channels as the action ramps up.
Extras [Rating: 2.5]
Supplemental Material includes the following:
An above average 30-minute Behind the Scenes Featurette. One, count it, one deleted scene. 8-page collector’s booklet. Trailers for current and upcoming Artsploitation titles.
Overall [Rating: 3]
Ultimately, Wither is a decent time waster, which is exactly what it wants to be. The film is mostly mediocre, but has some really good moments (the first 29 minutes) and a fair supplemental package that make it worth a rental. From there, you can decide if you want it permanently in your collection.
US Home Video Release: August 20, 2013
Director: Sonny Laguna, Tommy Wiklund
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewed By James M. Dubs
I am a natural skeptic. Therefore when Artsploitation Films advertises Wither as the “Swedish homage to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead” I immediately scream foul. We all understand why studios use this marketing ploy. They want us to make an immediate connection with a genre classic and think, “I loved Evil Dead, so this will surely be worth buying!” However, today’s movie going audience is a bit more sophisticated and understands such comparisons can equate to big disappointments, and in turn, create viewer doubt. So the question remains, is Wither the Swedish equivalent to Evil Dead or will it disappoint under over-reaching expectations?
Film [Rating: 2.5]
Amazingly, you don’t even have to play the DVD to find the answer to this question. Inside the DVD case is a nice 8-page, color booklet that contains 1) a thank you letter from Directors Laguna and Wiklund, 2) a brief intro to the film by author Ryan Clark, and 3) a brief Q&A with Laguna and Wiklund. In the first paragraph of Clark’s introduction he states, “Directors Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund make no grand attempt at profound arthouse cinema. It’s just another cabin in the woods movie – nothing more, nothing less.”
And ultimately that’s what really hinders Wither from being above average. Wither, if you haven’t guessed by now, is about a group of young men and women who decide to spend a weekend at an abandoned house and unearth some kind of evil nastiness. One by one, the squatters fall victim to the evil influence and become blood-thirsty monsters themselves.
Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead is not, “just another cabin in the woods movie.” Arguably, it is the cabin in the woods movie, because Raimi’s Dead has a maverick’s spirit infused with strong direction and a solid vision that is lacking from Wither. Comparatively, the directors of Wither clearly have a passion for what they are doing and love the genre, which is commendable, but their inexperience does them a disservice. Wither is at its absolute best for the first 29 minutes of the picture, during which the filmmakers take their time and allow for a slow pace – creating a brooding, atmospheric, creepy vision for what is to come. The cast of characters are all very likable and although they fall into your typical arch-types, the actors do a commendable job making them feel real enough that you might actually begin to care about the ensemble.
Unfortunately, the remaining hour quickly unravels once (as the liner notes describe) “the shit hits the fan” and our young directors fall into boring action clichés and shaky-cam tactics that offer little in suspense, but try to compensate with a lot of fake blood. Midway through the film I began to wonder if the director’s sole focus was on the effects, because the quality of practical and CGI effects improves while the acting seems to take a back seat to the blood once it starts to flow. The same likable characters/actors stop responding with the same go-getter, pro-active energy that brought them to the woods in the first place, and are replaced with passive vessels, content to sit around and wait for their grisly and untimely fate. It’s a major let-down, especially considering the first 29 minutes starts off so strong.
Here's my favorite exchange:
[caption id="attachment_7631" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Because waiting has worked so far...[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7632" align="aligncenter" width="546"]
Well...okay. If you think we should.[/caption][caption id="attachment_7633" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Yay! Freedom![/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7634" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Oh no! Water! Those stairs look awfully slippery.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7635" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Curse you rain! Your wetness has driven me to face the flesh eating monster.[/caption]
Video [Rating: 3.5]
Wither is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and generally looks good for DVD. Lots of work has clearly gone into the artistic look of the film in post. The image originates from a digital source with an overlay of added film grain, but looks good overall and may ultimately benefit from the lower resolution of DVD. Note: The 30-minute featurette reveals how they shot the movie, and frankly, I was shocked and impressed that the filmmakers made this film look this good with what they had.
Audio [Rating: 3]
Put on your reading glasses, because Wither is presented in Swedish with English subtitles, and a 5.1 surround mix to boot. It’s not a mix that will blow you away, but there is some good movement through all channels as the action ramps up.
Extras [Rating: 2.5]
Supplemental Material includes the following:
An above average 30-minute Behind the Scenes Featurette. One, count it, one deleted scene. 8-page collector’s booklet. Trailers for current and upcoming Artsploitation titles.
Overall [Rating: 3]
Ultimately, Wither is a decent time waster, which is exactly what it wants to be. The film is mostly mediocre, but has some really good moments (the first 29 minutes) and a fair supplemental package that make it worth a rental. From there, you can decide if you want it permanently in your collection.
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