The Shortcut DVD with Shannon Woodward, Dave Franco, Drew Seeley (PG-13) +Movie Reviews

The Shortcut delivers

A. Macintosh | 10/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The premise is simple: A group of teens, on their way home from school, come across a rarely-used shortcut. Turns out it's rarely-used for a reason. An old man who's owned a farm there his whole life doesn't take kindly to visitors. And if you think you know what's coming next, you have no idea.

Unlike a lot of recent horror flicks, "The Shortcut" has no big special effect budgets or gratuitous violence. The movie's thrills are created by its creepiness and atmosphere; it builds suspense instead of raising the body count. I'd compare it more to "Halloween" or classic Hitchcock than "Saw" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre." "The Shortcut" is subtle, smart, and, with its hot cast--including Katrina Bowden ("30 Rock") and heartthrob Drew Seeley ("Another Cinderella Story")--a great date movie."

The Shortcut

Georgia L. Williams | 10/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved this movie. Although it is rated PG 13, I loved watching a real thriller that let me use my own imagination instead of the bloody gore of most current scarey films produced these days. It really was frightening. A must see for the Halloween season. The stars were so believable and I loved seeing new fresh faces. They should be vieing for Oscars in their furtures. Drew Seeley is an really attractive young man and has such a convincing performance. I was scared to death."

Lifetime Quality Horror

The Tao of Netflix | Washington, DC | 11/14/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This movie was mostly boring with ineffective scares and twists. In short, the movie is about a seemingly crazy guy living on a remote farm (in the woods), and the interactions of a group of teens with this guy. While the movie was generally well done (i.e., good production values, decent acting, good camera work, etc.), it just wasn't that interesting. There were almost no scares, just more ongoing tension with kids being hunted by the old guy. The movie did present a twist at the end, but it was stupid. Is the identity of the bad guy what we think it is? The answer to this question gets addressed with a twist that really has no impact, save for one very momentary surprise. The quality of the story seemed on-par with what my wife forces me to watch on Lifetime - slow, dull and over-directed. If you are forced to watch this, it won't be your worst experience ever, but I'd highly encourage someone to rent before buying."

Entertaining Teen Thriller

Dayna Newman | Tampa | 11/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Shortcut wasn't a hardcore horror flick but then again it was a PG-13 thriller .

I didn't mind that there wasn't gratuitous violence in it and I usually like a lot of gratuitous violence.

The actors are appealing and the characters interesting enough to keep your attention.It's more of a mystery and that lends to it's appeal.

They don't sugarcoat anything or have any less victims of violent deaths because it's PG-13 they just make you use your imagination more instead of showing you the actual kill in full effect.

There are a couple of twists that I saw coming but it was still a good story and cleverly done.

I think even a slasher fan "like myself" would enjoy this movie,I did.

There is a story within a story.The back story is the how the Shortcut came to be and as time goes by reveals one of the mysteries..

3-1/2 Stars

"

PRE-TEEN TERROR

Mark Turner | 01/11/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There seems to be a shortage of horror films for the pre-teen audience out there. Those children who are of age where they can enjoy a good scary film but are not quite old enough to witness the bloody carnage that most employ. Unfortunately most are unwilling to sit through a black and white film, thus denying their chance to see such classics as the original FRANKENSTEIN or THE WOLF MAN. So they either are exposed to early to the gore or are left wanting. It looks like Adam Sandler's company wants to change that.

Having made his comedy hits under the banner of Happy Madison Productions, Sandler's company now turns to horror with Scary Madison Productions. Their first outing is a nice littler horror film called THE SHORTCUT.

As with most horror films, we are told from the start about a woods where no one trespasses for fear of coming across the old man who lives there. The shortcut might get you home quicker but only if you can get across without being stopped or worse. So of course the new kid will take the shortcut home on a dare.

Yes, he runs into some crazy looking person while walking down the path, finding what appears to be the remains of a dog that's been butchered. He gets away and makes it home to a big brother who scolds him for taking the path, hinting at something that happened in the past.

The school tough guy finds out about the youngster finding the dead dog and asks his brother to help him since his dog has gone missing and may be the one seen. That night, against the suggestions of steering clear, the pair go off to find the old man's house and to see if the dog (or what is left of him) is there.

What do friends do in a situation like this? Call the police? Ask for help? Of course not! They go right behind them to help if they can, never telling anyone else where they've gone.

What they find makes for an interesting amount of scares, but nothing too terrible for the average 11 year old to worry about. But the twist ending will be one that will have them second guessing anything they see in the future.

This film is not the best film ever made, nor one of the best horror films done. But it does offer a few scares, some decent effects (though most are off screen) and a great ending. Best of all it tosses in the most cliché of teen horror film ideas without making them seem cliché, a great way to prepare a new generation of horror fans before they get to the gore drenched items. It may not be a movie you want to add to your collection, but does make a decent rental.

"

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