Director: Eli Roth
Cast: Lorenza Isso, Ariel Levy, Sky Ferreira
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 100 minutes
Special Features: None
The Green Inferno has been on its way to release for the last year or so. Originally made in 2013 the film has been pushed back time and time again for a variety of reasons, the result being a rather unexpected straight to home entertainment release. It’s directed by actor / director Eli Roth and marks his first stint behind the camera since Hostel II, and is the directors ode to video nasty Cannibal Holocaust.
The story has a group of college activists travel into the depths of the Amazon to stop the destruction of the land inhabited by an ancient tribe who have been untouched by modern civilisation. Unfortunately for the young idealists the tribe mistake their help as an attack and they find themselves on the menu.
In a bid for authenticity Roth actually cast members of a real (non-cannibal) tribe to play the community of flesh-eaters. This gives a layer of realism that might have been lost were real actors to be tasked with playing them. Although it seems to have led to some dangerous moments on set. After Roth showed them their first movie (Cannibal Holocaust which the tribe mistook for a comedy) the tribe got really into their roles, most of the interaction between villagers and captives is improvised and more importantly real. Right down to dangerous snakes being dangled and thrust into the actors faces.
The plot is rather sparse and proceedings take a while to get going. Sadly it takes us a whole 45 minutes to arrive at the cannibal capture. Usually this build up time is spent getting to know and like our characters, however in The Green Inferno barely anything is gleamed about our core cast and as such we aren’t really invested in their fate. Even our heroine Justine isn’t given much of a back story, all we really know is that she’s a new and a little naive activist who is good at playing the flute.
Lorenza Izzo does a great job in the film though and above all the other actresses she’s really put through the ringer. In the real world she is married to Roth, but given the trials he puts her through in this movie it’s a wonder she ever said yes. They must have a very forgiving relationship. The lack of plot and direction, especially once captured, leaves Izzo fighting to keep her head above the chaos, though her ever changing faces of fear are a sight to behold.
The saving grace of The Green Inferno has to be the special effects make-up work. Designed and overseen by legend Greg Nicotero the work is incredibly realistic and stomach-churning. One eye removal scene is particularly ‘juicy’. Nicotero and his team had their work cut out for them as once we meet the cannibals, body parts begin to literally fly everywhere.
Given the masses of stories and anecdotes contained on the film’s IMDB trivia page it’s a shame that this release is a vanilla disc. A behind the scenes documentary would potentially be more interesting than the film and would make it a worthwhile purchase.
The Green Inferno is purely for the gore hounds, those without a thirst for blood, flayed skin and sinew will find little to enjoy.
The Green Inferno is available on Blu-Ray and DVD now.
