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  YOU ARE HERE : Home > Categories > Movies > Horror > The Belko Experiment
  ProdID: 7854 - The Belko ExperimentDirected byGreg McLean Product Score: 6.0 
The Belko Experiment

Price : $29.99
Supplier :
Available : January 2018

Welcome to the Belko Industries - a normally calm workplace that's about to devolve into a blood-soaked battle royale and a shocking case study of bone-crunching horror! When 80 American employees are suddenly locked in their office building in Bogotá, Columbia, a mysterious voice on the intercom orders them to participate in a ruthless game of kill or be killed. As the terror escalates, so does the body count. Now everyone is a competitor... and everyday objects become deadly weapons. Let the corporate carnage commence!

Special Features:
    •  Rules of the Game: The Secrets Behind The Belko Experiment
    •  Lee Hardcastle's Survival Tips
    •  Deleted Scenes
    •  Gallery

Cast:
    •  John Gallagher Jnr
    •  Tony Goldwin
    •  Adria Arjona
    •  John C. McGinley
    •  Melonie Diaz
    •  Josh Brener
    •  Michael Rooker
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Attention Span
Believeability
Fright Factor
Noisybabe007   Review #19366 - Dated: 22nd of January, 2018
  Author: Noisybabe007

I am a fan of horrors and thrillers and have to admit, was pretty damn excited to receive this one to review - it is just up my genre alley and with husband away doing an overnight shift, it was a perfect time to indulge my "I like being scared" appetite. I settled into the couch and popped the DVD into the player. This movie is also available on Blu-ray which is handy to know.

The movie starts in Bogota, Columbia with Mike (John Gallagher Jr) heading into his office of Belko Industries in the remote and rural part of the city. Stopped at the gate by unfamiliar guards he questions why they are there and notices that the Columbian nationals are being prohibited from entering. Wondering what is happening, he heads in, noticing some of the guards entering the hangar adjacent to the office building, further sparking his confusion.

When the 80th non Columbian employee arrives, the social experiment they never knew they were in, begins with an ominous voice telling them that three employees need to die and they get to choose otherwise others will be killed. From there a gruesome game of kill or be killed occurs.

Without spoiling the movie, this type of film has been done time and time again. It has a slight nihilistic side to it, but only very briefly, which I would have loved to have seen explored further. In fact - a lot of this film is like this - with many many possibilities left unexplored and open such as selecting possible first "victims", the cat and mouse game, the moralistic vs survival split.... just to name a few.

The bad bits - the ending - like actually - what the heck - without revealing it all, I really hope there is a sequel - I have so many unanswered questions - why, for what reason, how the heck did they choose this particular company, and what was the actual point of the experiment?

The good bits - there are some great ideas and frights in the movie - the way the first characters are assassinated is something new, and quite clever, to start with. The actors are actually very good, and you really feel like you can see them struggling (well the "good guys" at least) and you do find yourself wondering "what would I do" in the same situation. Those that enjoy the gory, Saw type of movie, this is a similar level, but with a less cohesive plot. The special effects really do make you feel like you are about to be splashed in blood, and the filming added to the feeling you were trapped in the steel locked office block.

Whilst I am not sure I would see it again, I do not regret watching it - it is a good "lose yourself in a pointless movie" type of deal for a weekend. Please please please say there is a sequel to answer and tie up some of the many unfinished loose ends!

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Printed at 10:55:17am on Friday 26th April 2024