This third "Cabin Fever" opens with much confusion. Cameras and characters wobble and walk around. We see there is sickness, blood. It doesn't make much sense, but we do learn Sean Astin is the title's "Patient Zero" and may be uniquely distasteful to the movie's flesh-eating monster. Some guys have all the luck. Also note, our "Cabin" is really an island. A parallel story begins, which makes more sense. There, three buddies and a beautiful dark-haired young woman take a boat to the island. The leading man is among the boating quartet, tall blond Mitch Ryan (as Marcus). His buddies are muscular brother Brando Eaton (as Josh) and fun-loving best friend Ryan Donowho (as Dobbs). The pretty girl is Jillian Murray (as Penny). Yes, her bikini comes off quickly...
The first scenes with Mr. Ryan and his friends are better than the stuff with Mr. Austin on the island, although they do not contain any special effects. While the overall story simply does not engage, the make-up and "gore" effects are a relative strength. The highlight is a knock-down, drag-out fight between two half flesh-eaten young women. The plot eventually makes more sense, but it's difficult to stay focused on the details. Eli Roth's original "Cabin Fever" (2002) struck a funny vein and worked out surprisingly well. This edition, directed by Kaare Andrews, has no comic relief. Or, more accurately, there is no humor that works like it should in a horror movie and did in the first "Cabin Fever" film. If this is the last of the series, they didn't end on a high note.
*** Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero (2/6/2014) Kaare Andrews ~ Mitch Ryan, Brando Eaton, Ryan Donowho, Sean Astin
The first scenes with Mr. Ryan and his friends are better than the stuff with Mr. Austin on the island, although they do not contain any special effects. While the overall story simply does not engage, the make-up and "gore" effects are a relative strength. The highlight is a knock-down, drag-out fight between two half flesh-eaten young women. The plot eventually makes more sense, but it's difficult to stay focused on the details. Eli Roth's original "Cabin Fever" (2002) struck a funny vein and worked out surprisingly well. This edition, directed by Kaare Andrews, has no comic relief. Or, more accurately, there is no humor that works like it should in a horror movie and did in the first "Cabin Fever" film. If this is the last of the series, they didn't end on a high note.
*** Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero (2/6/2014) Kaare Andrews ~ Mitch Ryan, Brando Eaton, Ryan Donowho, Sean Astin