Grade: C- | Genre: Foreign Horror Summary: I'm only recommending this one for those who love slasher films. As for the remaining, don't fall into this trap. In preparation for my trip to Paris, I figured what better way to get a feel for the rich French culture than through one of their Americanized slasher flicks. High Tension is an art house horror import that goes heavy on the guts and gore while trying to scribble down a plot along the way. It's proof that when it comes to sub par cinema, we don't have a monopoly on studios that spend their money on all the wrong things. Next time, can you just send us a bottle of choice Bordeaux instead, or is this our punishment for "Freedom Fries?"

First, you should be aware that this is a dubbed film. Yes, I said dubbed. In the modern age, shouldn't we have conquered the evil cinema beasts of dubbing and colorization by now? We locked ol' Ted Turner in a room with Jane, so I think we don't have to worry about the colorization thing, but who has a solution for atrocious dubbing? With a studio like Lion's Gate, who prides itself on quality independent features, you'd think that we'd get subtitles like we are accustomed. Somebody dropped the ball on this one. It's such a distraction to sit there watching their mouths move over words that aren't theirs. Dubbing is the gift that keeps on giving, taking any film and reducing it to a cheap B movie.

High Tension French Title: Haute Tension Starring: Cecile de France, Maiwenn Le Besco, Maiwenn Nahon, Philippe Nahon & Frank Khalfoun Director: Alexandre Aja View the Trailer (Quicktime). You may also like... The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Friday the 13th Nightmare on Elm Street Email this article to a friend

On the initial sweep of the house, Alex evades our killer's notice, setting up the remainder of the film as a torturous game of hide-and-seek. For all this film's faults, the tension is ever present. You are on the edge of your seat talking to the screen ("don't go in there, girl") throughout the picture.

The ending gives us quite the shock as our world is flipped upside down. Don't look back because if you try to piece the film together with this newfound revelation, the whole thing will crumble before your eyes. Its like the screenwriter didn't account for the plot twist necessarily making sense. He just thought it would be cool to throw in a twist. Save your twists for the martinis and write something coherent for a change.

If you are looking at High Tension strictly in the terms of the traditional slasher flick, it meets all the criteria. Senseless plot riddled with gapping holes, shower scene with marginally attractive woman naked along with completely helpless victims that seem to have had a frontal lobotomy. If you loved Friday the 13th and dressed up like Freddy Krueger for Halloween, you may declare this the film of the year. In fact, this film plays like a homage to all those cheesy 80s horror films. This, coupled with the tension, is the movie's only saving grace.

I'm only recommending this one for those who love slasher films. If you can adhere to the guidelines of these films, you'll probably like this one a lot. As for the remainder, don't fall into this trap. Queue up the Blair Witch Project or the Exorcist again to get your horror fix while you pine away for something sharp in the horror genre to return to the theatres. Don't hold your breath. It could be a while.

Originally Posted: June 24, 2005