'Extremity' happened to appear in my recommended for you section, and because the idea sounded so fascinating it was difficult for me to say no to watching it. The cover also was a creepy one and the title was attention grabbing. And despite how my previous reviews have looked like, there is absolutely nothing against films made on a low-budget, there have been numerous good ones. Despite how it indicates otherwise, also do appreciate horror, which has seen many great films, even if it is not my favourite genre.
So there was potential for 'Extremity' work. It is said with a heavy heart, not malice or prejudice in any way, that it doesn't...at all. Have seen far worse films of the genre, of similar budget and overall and it is not completely irredeemable, other films have insulted the intelligence more and have been worse looking, written and acted. Not that that is much of an endorsement, there is so much done wrong here in 'Extremity' and to a quite annoying degree.
The setting is spooky and the costume design is decent looking.
It is hard to appreciate both though when the rest of the production values look as though they were made with no care and in haste. The editing especially lacks cohesion, it's too drably lit and there is just no atmosphere or style at all. What little there is of atmosphere is undermined by cheap-sounding and random sound effects that are intrusive in placement and recorded too loud. The music didn't seem to fit and offers nothing unnerving or memorable.
Furthermore, the script is so start-stop awkward and cheesy that it doesn't matter whether you are trying to not take it too seriously, it would stick out like a sore thumb regardless of how one tries to watch the film. The story takes a premise that could have been very creatively, and executes it so ordinarily and dully. Nothing is surprising and 'Extremity' fails to be both interesting or scary thanks to a dull pace and no tension, suspense or creepiness.
Just non-stop obviousness (most of it having been done to death long before the film existed) and ridiculousness, complete with far-fetched and sometimes vague moments and very bland and irritating characters that behave and make decisions in a way that makes one endear to them less. The direction has no personality or distinction, not even rising above competent, while the acting with no exception is not really worth mentioning and not in a good way.
Overall, very bad but have seen worse. 2/10 Bethany Cox
