Post by cubbies04 on Jul 28, 2007 2:06:14 GMT -5
Overall Grade: C+
Positives: Ok, I admit I am a huge fan of Dario Argento and most of his best "tricks" are on display here. He is a master at using light and color to set an eerie tone, with blood red and deep blue being the most prominent colors. There are also some truly eerie, gothic sets used, another specialty of Argento. Finally, one of the creepiest scenes he has ever filmed is in Inferno: not to spoil it, but it involves the discovery of an underwater room.
Negatives: When I first saw this film years ago, I concluded it was pretty good, but not near the level of Suspiria or Deep Red. Now that I have seen it again-my opinion hasn't changed. While Inferno does have its moments, I just don't think it's the same level as Argento's best work. For one thing, the score is not as effective as the work he did with Goblin. Second, the plot of this movie seemed to be almost an afterthought and I simply did not care about the protagonist like I cared about main characters in other works of his. Finally, and perhaps worst of all, the last part of the film builds up the tension for an assumedly terrifying climax. However, when the monster finally reveals him/herself, the effect used is, well, hokey. I know this film was made in 1980, but the effect is still pretty cheap looking and almost laughable.
Would I see it again? Maybe, but only with other Argento fans. Inferno has its moments (particularly the underwater room), but this is not the film I would use to introduce someone to Argento's work. IMO it is simply not at the level of his horror masterpieces Deep Red or Suspiria. I would also rate Tenebrae, The Bird With the Crystal Plumage and The Stendahl Syndrome ahead of it as well
Positives: Ok, I admit I am a huge fan of Dario Argento and most of his best "tricks" are on display here. He is a master at using light and color to set an eerie tone, with blood red and deep blue being the most prominent colors. There are also some truly eerie, gothic sets used, another specialty of Argento. Finally, one of the creepiest scenes he has ever filmed is in Inferno: not to spoil it, but it involves the discovery of an underwater room.
Negatives: When I first saw this film years ago, I concluded it was pretty good, but not near the level of Suspiria or Deep Red. Now that I have seen it again-my opinion hasn't changed. While Inferno does have its moments, I just don't think it's the same level as Argento's best work. For one thing, the score is not as effective as the work he did with Goblin. Second, the plot of this movie seemed to be almost an afterthought and I simply did not care about the protagonist like I cared about main characters in other works of his. Finally, and perhaps worst of all, the last part of the film builds up the tension for an assumedly terrifying climax. However, when the monster finally reveals him/herself, the effect used is, well, hokey. I know this film was made in 1980, but the effect is still pretty cheap looking and almost laughable.
Would I see it again? Maybe, but only with other Argento fans. Inferno has its moments (particularly the underwater room), but this is not the film I would use to introduce someone to Argento's work. IMO it is simply not at the level of his horror masterpieces Deep Red or Suspiria. I would also rate Tenebrae, The Bird With the Crystal Plumage and The Stendahl Syndrome ahead of it as well