The Aggression Scale (2012)

This one, even though it's a few years old was very hard to find. After watching, it's rareness DOES surprise me as it is so watchable. The acting of the kids is pretty, pretty, pretty good. The girl who started out annoying but quickly grew on me. More especially the boy. It is refreshing to have a boy who isn't haunted (Paranormal Activity), annoying (The Purge) or Anakin Skywalker. In additional notes it's good to see Ray Wise still working and also appearing is Dana Ashbrook. Ah memories of Lara Palmer.

Let me warn you right away. The aggression scale is just what it sounds like, this is one brutal movie. And it starts right away. Without any warning, or rather the opposite, the film shocks you right from start. I would categorize this as a slasher.We see a couple with two teenagers moving out in the countryside, obviously moving away from something. We don't really know why, but we've got a hunch. Amongst the things, are getting away from bullies, because the boy is mute, due to this. The film starts with a brutal gangster boss, Bellavance, just out if prison, missing no less than $ 500000, and that's not acceptable to him. On his command, his hoodlums start a killing spree.A scary undertone fills the first part of the movie, beautifully filmed in a thriller/horror way, just before something happens the film slows down to slow motion film. Quite neatly done.I can see some referring to this as bloody Home alone, and they have a point. The inventiveness of the teenagers are above average, you could say. They have had to watch a lot of violent movies to get this brutal.Another interesting point is the two Twin Peaks actors, Robert Wise and Dana Ashbrook, one very recognizable, the other you've gotta watch the eyes to recognize. They are both brilliant. It's more to scrutinize with some of the other's acting. The girl Is OK until she is hurt, Then she turn plain bad. The mute kid is better. The film is also too unrealistic when it comes to the hits and the walking from the woods on broken bones. This puts me off a bit. I enjoy a good slasher, but I like it to be plausible. Some great talent here, but not all is functioning in this low budget slasher. Still it's able to keep a certain tension. Director Steven C. Miller is on his way up, and this is his best film so far.

This was good... I know I don't normally start off that simply, but it really was quite good. I almost didn't recognize ol' Dana 'Bobby' Ashbrook with his white hair, but hey, it HAS been over 20 years for Goodness' sake! And, how absolutely cool is it to see a film with TWO 'Twin Peaks' alumni in it?! I frigg'n LOVE Ray Wise (he was just about THE best actor in 'TP' with Bobby being the 2nd - He really blew rings around the dull-@ss James character!) But, ol' Ray really doesn't have a whole lot to do here. Actually, if you do like him and you like Horror, the Indie film 'DEAD END' is a much better example of where he really has a chance to shine in his role (I HIGHLY recommend that one!)Sure, this movie isn't exactly rocket science, but I honestly felt that it was very sharp, competently put together, and very well written, acted, and directed. The extras are kinda fun, watching the interviews and the 'Behind the scenes' stuff. Like the director said in his comments, they tried to create a 'Home Invasion' type film, but with strong, believable, 3 dimensional bad guys. This is a good, solid thriller. And DUDE, whomEVER is responsible for the shorts that the girl wore can have WHATEVER the hell they want! : ) The pacing is very strong. I thought that most of the acting was really carried by the bad guys. I found them extremely intriguing, odd, and interesting. The little bald guy looked like SUCH a dweeb, but he had a certain off-beat vibe going that worked really well. And the big bald guy had a really intriguing depth to his character. I like Dana Ashbrook, but his character here didn't really allow him much latitude in his performance; I actually had his Dad, Buddy Ashbrook as a teacher in an acting class at Palomar college about 30 years ago (In the Northern San Diego area - I live about 3 miles from there now :) I REALLY dug Dana's role in 'TWIN PEAKS'; I truly wish he had had more of a chance to do a lot of other films. I think I first remember seeing him as a teen in 'A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET' (1984) along with a VERY young Johnny Depp in his first role.Anyway, sorry to meander all around the place here... Basically if you want some good ol' Thriller entertainment where the bad guys take a deserved and gruesome pounding, then you really should enjoy this one. The reviewers here who didn't like it obviously don't like these kind of films and so shouldn't be watching them, and particularly NOT trashing them here... I mean, I personally do NOT like 'Torture Porn' films in any way, shape, or form, but you won't see me coming here, writing reviews dumping all over the 'HOSTEL' & 'SAW' films. What's the point...? Let those who truly LIKE those kind of films talk about them and review them; that way, a person who ALSO likes similar films can hopefully benefit from a helpful review from people who also enjoy them...

This movie was one of those films that was a great surprise. I'd seen the trailer and read a little about this film but I wasn't expecting what I'd just seen. It was great from start to finish, the acting, the story (especially) and the action were all top notch. And Derek Mears played his part very well. It was one of those movies (for me) that I'd be very happy to watch again and again, and I'm glad I own it. The action is quite violent too, which for me is always a huge bonus. I'd put it in the same category as 'A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE' (Viggo Mortensen). If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. So I give it a solid 8 out of 10.