Flatliners: Review

Flatliners is directed by Niels Arden Oplev and is the remake of the 1990 sci-fi horror with Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon and Julia Roberts. Starring Ellen Page, Nina Debrov and Diego Luna; Faltliners sees a young group of medical students tap into the other side - stopping each others hearts just long enough to be brought back to life. Back in the existing world, they soon realise some lines shouldn't be crossed. 

A lengthy episode of Casualty with trippy side effects. Essentially Flatliners isn't an ambiguous film it's just plain silly. Starting with a steady pulse, once it slips into tired horror clichés, there is no resuscitating this futile flick. Playing it safe - it's too afraid to explore either the scientific or religious possibilities for the afterlife and has the opportunity to become something of its own yet never takes it. 

An unlikely roster of talented young actors just about breakaway from the commonly expendable team of young adults in horror movies. Unfortunately the material the group are given is little more than horrifying. It would be unfair to label Flatliners a completely idiotic adventure  - most doctors may disagree of course, but the medical science behind flatlining offers a not only creative but daring premise. 

A minuscule $20,000,000 budget begs the question - Was it worth reviving Flatliners? The answer is - yes, but not under these circumstances. Had Flatliners been remade in the 90's - it's unintentional cheese, silly horror and absurdity would most definitely of made it a hit. Given hollywood today, Faltliners should have injected a significantly higher budget into its system, focused on a more robust  script and really had fun in creating a thrilling teen sic-fi horror. With these enhancements, I would already have tickets booked and popcorn ready, but for now ... I'll pass. 

A distorted caper in dire need of a defibrillator. Flatliners is a classic example of go hard or go home. Aplov sets up a promising movie that quickly spirals out of control - a great premise lead by a evenly well performed cast makes no excuses for the appalling result. As the title suggests this preposterous picture soon flatlines. 

I am going to give Flatliners:

2.3/10