Culture Magazine

Movie Reviews 101 Halloween Midnight Horror – Sorority Row (2009)

By Newguy

logoDirector: Stewart Hendler

Writer: Josh Stolberg, Peter Goldfinger (Screenplay) Mark Rosman (Original Screenplay)

Starring: Briana Evigan, Margo Harshman, Rumer Willis, Jamie Chung, Leah Pipes, Audrina Patridge, Matt O’Leary, Julian Morris, Debra Gordon, Caroline D’Amore

Plot: A group of sorority sisters try to cover up the death of their house-sister after a prank gone wrong, only to be stalked by a serial killer.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: I Know What You Did Last Party

Story: Sorority Row starts with a wild college party where all the party goes are involved in a pyjama party while hazing the newest members of the sorority.  At the party we meet the friends Cassidy (Evigan), Chugs (Harshman), Ellie (Willis), Claire (Chung), Jessica (Pipes) and Megan (Patridge) who are all playing a revenge prank on Garrett (O’Leary) for cheating on Megan. When the prank gets out of hand Garrett ends up stabbing Megan believe her to be dead and actually killing her. This leads to the remaining sisters to have to decide what to do with the body and after voting together they dispose of the body to protect themselves and sticking to the story that Cassidy killed her because she didn’t want to go along with the plan.

The girl are finish their school year and Cassidy has moved away from the sorority but they all get together for the final goodbyes but somebody sends the girls a photo of the murder weapon and the appearance of Maggie (D’Amore) Megan’s sister pushes the secret to the limits. When a mystery killer turns up and starts killing of the sisters the sisterhood pact gets pushed to the limits as the friends have to figure out who could be the killer.

Sorority Row is one of these very generic slasher horror films, it has very little suspense and just goes for a body count. While watching through the film I couldn’t help but wonder why certain people were getting picked off because certain characters had absolutely nothing to do with the murder and cover up. granted this does get explained at the end but it will leave you confused through the film. I will say this does have a couple of good kills and does try to bring in the idea of a new iconic murder weapon used in nearly all of the kills. This will fall flat because it doesn’t know how to build up the suspense and does end up resorting to cheap false jump scares. (5/10)

Actor Review

Briana Evigan: Cassidy is the only one who wants to take responsibility for the murder even if it means they all have to pay, she leaves the sorority after what happens but gets drawn back into the place for graduation. Briana does a good job and shows why she could become the leading lady in the world of horror heroine. (6/10)

 

cassidy

Margo Harshman: Chugs is the slutty member of the sorority who helps set up her own brother with the prank and ends up becoming the first victim with a very unique kill. Margo does a simple job but never really gets enough time to make much out of her character. (4/10)

chugs

Rumer Willis: Ellie is the nerdy member of the sorority who is used by the rest of them to help with their work, she reacts the worst through the situation. Rumer easily becomes the most annoying character in the film and her performance really doesn’t come off well at all. (2/10)

 

ellie

Jamie Chung: Claire is another member of the sorority who reluctantly agrees to go along with covering up the murder and ends up being involved in finding out who is after them. Jamie does a solid job but never really gets the chance to show her best talent. (6/10)

Leah Pipes: Jessica is the leader of the sorority who puts herself before everyone else to make sure she gets everything she wants. Leah plays the total bitch perfectly here as you will grow to hate her character. (7/10)

jessica

Support Cast: Sorority Row has a large supporting cast that include potential suspects, other victims and large amounts of party goers.

Director Review: Stewart Hendler –Stewart struggles to give us original scares but does pull off a couple of good kills. (6/10)

Horror: Sorority Row fits into the standard slasher category with ease but offers nothing new inside it. (7/10)

Mystery: Sorority Row tries to build a mystery about who is killing the friends but never seems to hint at anyone. (5/10)

Settings: Sorority Row uses the sorority house and the mine as the main settings making everything either a party, party preparation or investigation scene, seriously do these kids not study? (5/10)
Special Effects
: Sorority Row uses good effects for the kills. (7/10)

Suggestion: Sorority Row is one for the slasher fans to try, it won’t go down as a classic but you should enjoy what you see. (Slasher Fans Try)

Best Part: Good Kills.

Worst Part: Lack of suspect hinting.

Kill Of The Film: Chugs

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: It is left open to one but I doubt we will get one.

Post Credits Scene: No

Similar Too: I Know What You Did Last Summer

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $27 Million

Budget: $16 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes

Tagline: The Sisters of Theta Pi Are Dying To Keep a Secret.

Overall: Sorority Row is a forgettable slasher that is actually watchable.

Rating

50


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