The Dark Side of Berlin Apparently, German filmmakers have a special awe for scary stories, the action of which unfolds in dark catacombs and tunnels, because in recent years it is the “underground” horrors produced by Germany that have become the most widespread among fans of the genre around the world. In 2004, a rather good and most famous slasher called “Crip” of German-English production with Franka Potente in the title role, telling about the nightmares of the London Underground, was released. And although critics did not appreciate the tape too highly, but the audience gladly accepted the story told. And so in 2011, the Germans again returned to the theme of abandoned tunnels with the film "Urban Explorer" from the novice director Andy Fecher. But this time, the filmmakers decided not to glorify the horrors of foreign catacombs, but turned to their own history, namely the study of the vast web of tunnels created in the Third Reich. Agree that the topic is more than tempting and guaranteed to attract viewers with its mystery, and, including, not silent fashion for Nazi mysticism and secrets, even if there are no military zombies beloved by all. Andy Fecher could in his first high-profile project show extraordinary thinking and avoid trivial plot twists, but in the end, his picture turns into a quote of old Hollywood horrors, necessarily using completely boring templates and completely breaking the logic of the behavior of heroes in a dangerous situation.
The plot of the film takes place in modern Berlin. Chris (Max Riemelt) organizes excursions to the underground tunnels of the German capital. Gathering the next group of tourists in the face of a loving couple Dennis (Nick Eversman) and Lucia (Natalie Kelly), as well as friends Marie (Katrin de Lean) and Juna (Branda Ku), Chris goes on another hike. Only this time, the highlight of the tour will be the recently opened bunker of Hitler’s personal driver, which the authorities are walling up to avoid a revival of the cult of Nazism. But Chris knows all the intricacies of his profession and delivers the heroes to their destination, bypassing all obstacles. But the trip will not be crowned with luck, because through the stupidest carelessness, the guide falls from a huge height and is immobilized. After sending friends for help, Dennis and Lucia remain with the wounded. And what a surprise when they find a local hermit Armin (Klaus Stiglmeier), politely offering help. Only here behind an open smile lurks a real beast that lures his fellow travelers into a bloody trap.
After a short introduction, in which we get acquainted with the whole group of researchers, and do not learn anything about them until the final credits, and the main action of the picture begins. In principle, the whole plot unfolds in the conditions of underground tunnels, and the only shots with a clear sky will remain only at the beginning of the picture, in order to emphasize the subsequent despair of what is happening. But already from the first minutes of the expedition, bad thoughts begin to creep in about the professionalism of the director Andy Fecher, who absolutely does not know how to pump up suspense, and the elementary logic of what is happening in places is completely absent as a fact. I especially want to note a few absolutely stupid moments of the picture Among them:
1. Apparently, the German authorities adopted a rather economical budget, since they regretted more or less decent cement along with bricks for a typo of the bunker, the entrance to which, under a slight onslaught of an iron tool, collapses like a children's designer.
2. Judging by the situation presented, scientists and historians are not interested in the things left by the Fuehrer’s driver. You can even notice some documents with seals that have remained unnecessary to anyone. It is hardly possible to believe that Germany would refuse the opportunity to obtain mysterious materials that could perhaps once again denigrate her and force her to pay further compensation. But, judging by the film, this is not fate.
3. Tell me, will you photograph with a flash a person who moves along a narrow beam over the abyss, and besides in a previously unknown dark room? I'm sure not. But the heroes of this film consider it a fun idea, which results in serious adversity. There is no logic at all.
4. Imagine that you are in the basement and your lights are turned off. I am sure you will find yourself in total darkness. But, judging by Fecher’s painting, the abandoned Berlin catacombs are illuminated better than a modest room with a hundred lamps on! Wherever the heroes go, everywhere they are waiting for the light, revealing all the details of the room. And because of this, the atmosphere of uncertainty is lost, which perfectly emphasized the danger hiding in the darkness in the rather good Australian horror “Tunnel”, which has a similar plot to “Urban Explorer”.
5. Well, the main crown of the absurd is the confrontation between young people and a crazy maniac. It is in this part of the film that we should expect a whole cascade of plot blunders and stamps. To taste suspicious food from dirty dishes and ask for supplements? Yeah. Stun the villain, but not finish him off or tie him up? Yeah. Stop and wait for the villain to catch up with you? Yeah. Is a maniac immortal even after being shot? Yeah. And so on. So we can safely say that those moments for which the film was shot look an order of magnitude worse than the same expedition through the light tunnels, which is only the eve of the long-awaited slasher.
There is no doubt that Andy Fecher’s painting is full of logical blunders that could be ignored if there were not so many of them. But there are also positive moments, which can be safely attributed to the same expedition and the mandatory horror stories “at the campfire” from Chris, who fascinates both heroes and viewers with fantastic stories about terrifying experiments on people of the Reich and their heirs, living at the very bottom and looking for innocent victims. I also have a pretty good cast. Naturally, the most famous actors of the project were the performers of the main roles. Nika Eversman (Dennis) can be found in the TV series "Doctor House" and the drama "Raneways", well, and Natalie Kelly (Lucia) appeared in "Triple Fastage" and "C.S.I." Crime scene”. Most of the other actors come from Germany and they play mainly in their domestic cinema, but this does not affect their skill.
In the end, I want to say that "Urban explorer" turned out to be quite an average horror, in which there is quite a lot of absurdity and lack of logic. Of course, watching the misadventures of the heroes is still interesting, but when watching you realize that we may be held for fools. But this fact is not happy at all. But if you want to relax along with the unassuming horror or criticize the behavior of the main characters, then Andy Fecher’s film is just for you. Just keep in mind that visually nasty moments are also present here.
5 out of 10