Ruins retreads new territory

April 7, 2008 —

You may be asking, "How is it possible to retread new territory?" Well, anyone familiar with the horror genre probably understands that this oxymoronic phrase as valid. The genre often operates around stereotypes. I don't necessarily mean this in a bad way.

The Ruins is no different: its stereotypical college-age cast and cliche lead in plot are not all that enthralling. But, a slight supernatural premise makes Ruins stand out as something different in otherwise common territory.

The film is based on the book of the same name and is about a group of college students or recent college graduates on vacation in Mexico. Nearing the end of their trip, Jeff (Jonathan Tucker) convinces the group - his obnoxious and somewhat unfaithful girlfriend Amy (Jena Malone) requiring the most luring - to take a trip to a newly discovered ancient Mayan temple with a friendly German vacationer. The trip quickly goes awry as local villagers do not allow them to leave the temple, which is covered in bloodthirsty vines.

The four lead characters are simply very poorly drawn in the script and set up initially as archetypes only. Jeff is the perfect catch male lead. He's nice, responsible, somewhat adventurous, devoted to his annoying girlfriend and is soon going to medical school. Amy is the plain but pretty everyman's girlfriend - spoiled, whiny, moderately intelligent and devoted most to her friend. Stacy (Laura Ramsey) is the hot blonde best-friend-of-the-female lead, and Eric (Shawn Ashmore) is the secondary boyfriend - a perfect blend of comedian and jerk.

Putting aside the poorly drawn characters, the actors actually do a nice job as the plot unravels of unraveling themselves. The dynamic between Jeff and Eric seems to gradually fall into a Golding-esque Ralph and Jack one, and Malone and Ramsey nicely accent the men's opposing leader roles by falling apart throughout the film - Ramsey disturbingly mesmerizes as the film nears its denouement.

This really leaves the script to blame for my issues with the characters. I could have perhaps lived with the archetypes if the script hadn't deemed it necessary to attempt to add depth and drama on and off as the film progressed. Jeff's plans for med school soon reveal a much more controlled and far more mature character than the Jeff at the opening of the film. Furthermore, in the third act of the film, drama regarding Amy's lack of faithfulness to Jeff is brought up in a very nonsensical way.

It is the premise of the killer plant that really makes the film interesting - not because the plant seems all that menacing, but because of the psychological effects it has on its prey. It also makes for some really disturbing images and amateur surgical attempts to be rid of it. Yet, the killer plant also makes for a couple of laughs when vibrating flowers start mimicing both words and ring tones.

I also think that the length had some affect on my enjoyment of Ruins. Just as the situation was getting most trying and terrifying for the group (and the most interesting for me), we reach our climax. Why either the screenplay writer or director felt it necessary to bring the film to its closing so quickly, I'm not sure. I would have liked to see the character's plight go on just a bit longer, or perhaps have seen them attempt a few different escapes before the one they choose.

The Ruins could have been welcoming to the horror genre if it had just made a solid decision in one direction: cliche with interesting premise or a bit of depth. As is, the film teeters between trying to have one-dimensional and complex characters and falls victim to itself by letting a potentially interesting gimic become a bit too silly at times.