Review: The Collector

The Collector      

Directed By:
Marcus Dunstan
Written By:
Marcus Dunstan & Patrick Melton

       Finally reaching the top of the short wait list on Netflix I was able to check out this new horror title recently released a few weeks ago.  I am happy to say that the wait was definitely worth while.  The Collector is brought to us by screenwriter and first time director Marcus Dunstan (Feast 1-3, Saw 4-7) along with the skill of his career long writing partner Patrick Melton.  Now, The Collector is nothing new and original story-wise and even some of the visual touches and some of the cinematography can be easily compared to an episode of CSI but there were some interesting things this title did that I really enjoyed.
       In the story we follow Arkin, a good natured man that is down on his luck and in a bad spot as he has only hours to repay a debt owed by his wife to some unsavory characters.  His only was to get the money is a heist of a large jewel hidden in the country home of his new boss recently scouted by Arkin that is now suddenly moved ahead of schedule.  As Arkin stealthily enters the house looking for his family's key to survival he realizes that another person has already beat him there, The Collector.  The Collector does exactly what his name states, he goes into peoples home and collects them.  The people he likes takes for himself and the others he doesn't want or that try to get away are left to his devious booby traps which he sets up through out the residence or worse, left to his own creativity with a knife.
       What follows is a wonderfully paced cat and mouse game as Arkin tries to get the jewel and attempts to save the residents that are in The Collectors clutches.  I have heard some people try and compare this movie to the Saw films and I don't think that does this film justice at all.  Yes, Jigsaw used booby traps in the Saw movies but he does not have that corner of the market all to himself.  Is Jason the only one that can wear a mask?  There are no other theme or motivational parallels between the two films besides that device.  Also, you need to stand back and realize that this film is written by the same duo responsible for the past few Saw films, therefore is makes sense if the atmosphere comes off a little similar.  I myself am happy to say that I left the Saw franchise to itself long ago after the 3rd installment.
       As I mentioned, there is nothing overly original about his film (but what titles are now a days) but the level of quality in the execution and pacing is what set this far above average for me.  Running at a tight 87 minutes as the action kicks off after the first 20 which was rightfully dedicated to good character structure and strong plot devices, the biggest of which is a ticking clock device.  Arkin has till Midnight to get the money or something bad will happen to his daughter.  Arkin looks at his watch when he first enters the home with only a little over an hour to get out of the house alive and as the film was running to a close I realized that the last hour of the film was actually in REAL TIME!! This is a very underused method due to the complexity it caused on set and within the editing room and they do it perfectly.
       I had hopes for this film due to my enjoyment of Feast but I was nervous since it was Dunstan's first outing as a director.  But I truly am happily surprised by the skill and attention to detail that came across in the film.  The characters of the film are filled with enough depth to continue the plot without overstepping it's bounds to overly dramatic attempts and the cinematography keeps the eyes happy.  The Collector character has great sense of eeriness about as he tip toes in the darkness with what must be a "Buttonface" inspired mask.  All of the actors brought good performances to the screen and combined with the rip roaring pace of the script.  The Collector is a need for any horror fans collection and shows that even though most of the good ideas have already been used they haven't all been used correctly.
4 1/2 out of 5