The Tunnel (I) (2011)
7/10
Unexpected Sophistication
25 February 2017
You won't find the usual "found footage" type film here. A step above the usual cheesy effort at authenticity that rarely succeeds, this one has an overall better quality that translates to a better viewer experience.

A journalist and her crew descend into an old, disused labyrinth of tunnels that had been a shelter for soldiers during the war. Not surprisingly, some creepy events, and the disappearance of a crew member, lead to panic, after which the remaining 3 people find themselves lost in the maze of passageways leading to gory surprises, but no way out.

The pacing of the plot is crucial in building suspense and fear, and this film did an adequate job of it. The hand held camera stuff is annoying at times (too dark, too much camera jiggle and too many shots of the floor and people's feet) but much better than what you usually find in this subgenre.

What shines is the acting; the characters are authentic and believable, their relationships with each other adding depth to the plot. The ending is not what one would expect in such a film, but I liked it; apparently, the filmmakers hate cheesy endings.

Recommended for adults but nightmarish for kids.
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