The Collector

I truly enjoyed this movie. It was really good all the way around from my point of view. I definitely felt it was better than Saw, and if it had half the marketing that Saw did, I feel it would've made a Huge "cult" following. If you liked Saw you probably will like this, but even if you didn't like Saw you still might like this, lol. It has a different plot line, decent acting and not too far fetched. If you watch this and happen to feel the way I do, you will like sequel "The Collection" too. Enjoy!!

In concept, this movie is pretty awesome, and at first the movie seems to have the style to match. However, once the movie really starts going it becomes apparent that each trap and related death scenes are designed to be as cringe inducing as possible. Which is all well and good, but it makes it difficult to re-watch. If you found Saw II even slightly disturbing, then this movie is definitely not for you. One particular aspect of the movie that is interesting is the insect theme but, other than a brief moment with a jar of cockroaches, it never really inspires any scenes in the movie. (This is also never really touched on in the sequel either)

I've read reviews off and on that dog this movie. I wonder sometimes if the people that dislike this movie so much, dislike the horror genre. If I were to rate a musical, I would probably give it a low score myself.

This movie is not perfect, but because the horror in it is done well enough, it is worthwhile to suspend some disbelief to go along with the ride. This isn't a PG-13 teen scare. People tote the term "torture-porn" I think because the killing is done is such an unapologetic, organized fashion. Every kill is planned and gruesome. In the horror genre, what actually is wrong with that?

While Rob Zombie and others are destroying monsters (Zombie basically killed the icon of Michael Myers) by humanizing them too much, it is refreshing to have a new killer killing for killing-sake. Isn't that worth a ride (assuming you are into horror)?

The Collector (2009) is available for free on Tubi and I was excited to watch it again for the first time in along time. The story is about a man in debt to his ex-wife, an ex-wife who is in debt with a loan shark. He plans a heist at a residence he doesn't know is booby trapped with various death traps set up by a serial killer. This movie is directed by Marcus Dunstan (Feast and The Collection) and stars Diane Ayala Goldner (Feast and Halloween II), Juan Fernandez (Crocodile Dundee), Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight), Andrea Roth (War) and Michael Reilly Burke (Mars Attacks!). The storyline, characters and execution is so good in this. The kill scenes are gory and the movie flows so well. I can't say I 100% loved the ending, but I really enjoyed the movie. I really recommend watching this if you haven't. I'd score it a solid 8/10.

I've been a fool. I tried watching this a few years ago, and couldn't finish it. That inkling to give it another go just wouldn't go away. Well. Guess what? Not only did I watch the whole movie, but I wound up digging it for the most part! The comparisons to the Saw franchise are apt, I suppose. But the Saw series started to become redundant. The Collector is much more than just another cash-in attempt to make some coin. Director Marcus Dunstain clearly had a vision with this one. The killer in this one is not someone that asks questions. Jigsaw was a nasty individual as well, but he had a motive for doing what he was doing, a reason if you will. The Collector (Creepily played by Juan Fernandez) just likes to hurt people. He's gleefully psychotic and kills people in the most sickening ways imaginable for his own demented pleasures. There is no background on this guy, and that makes him all the more terrifying. In some ways that could have worked against it, but I didn't feel it was needed here, and added to the atmosphere. The gore scenes deliver. I won't spoil them, but gore hounds will be replenished for their thirst. My only real carps are I wish the finale went on a tad longer, and that is was hard to make out what was going in a couple scenes because I had trouble seeing. It was a bit too dark. William Prael plays for a very good reluctant hero. His desperation had me rooting for him. I enjoyed him a lot

Final Thoughts: Sometimes a second viewing does wonders. It sure did with the Collector. It's not perfect, but it's a highly suspenseful thrill ride that lacks the budget of a Saw, but is arguably better than a lot of the Saw sequels. Recommended. I'm looking forward to The Collection!

6.5/10