Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93% (Critics) / 81% (Audience)
Directed By: Drew Goddard
Written By: Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard
Starring: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams and Anna Hutchison
Studio: Lionsgate Films

Synopsis: Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods. (Source)

The Good:
Full disclosure…I am a massive Joss Whedon fanboy (he has created some of my favorite TV shows…BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, FIREFLY) and only slightly less a nerd when it comes to Drew Goddard (he has written some of my favorite episodes of some of my favorite shows…BUFFY, ANGEL, ALIAS, LOST) so when you throw these two guys together to create a horror movie I am there before I even know the name of the movie. It helps that what they created with THE CABIN IN THE WOODS is such a fresh take on a truly cliché genre that has needed something to come along an upend it since the last movie to do so quickly became the new cliché (SCREAM was great but the 18 billion copycats that came afterward killed what made that movie so special). This film is not only truly funny with genuine scares but it is just new and different which is always welcome in my book especially when it is done a well as this (or last year’s hilarious TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL).
I also have to give some kudos to Bradley Whitford, Richard Jenkins and Fran Kantz who were absolutely perfect in their roles. Kantz (who was a fan favorite on another Whedon show, DOLLHOUSE) did stoner geeks everywhere proud, bucking every stereotype that this type of character represents in horror movies and he was the anchor for this film. He had most of the best lines and he owned most of the scenes he was in. Whitford and Jenkins seemed to be having the times of their lives in every scene.
The homages to so many horror archetypes and specific characters (the knockoffs of Pinhead and Pennywise the Clown were especially spiffy). And there is no greater sight to see than a bloodthirsty, murderous unicorn impaling people.

The Bad:
I was was expecting something more to come from the Brian White character, there seemed to be seeds of rebellion being sown early in the film, but it never materialized.

The Ugly:
My Whedon fanboyism by association may be kicking in but I felt there was not nearly enough Amy Acker in this movie.

Final Verdict: THE CABIN IN THE WOODS is a brilliantly fun and original take on the horror genre that never lets up on the frights or the funny. The direction, the writing, the acting…just about everything worked in this movie and I heartily recommend to anyone who loves a good horror film and has been hungering for a new spin. A-