SORORITY ROW

Director: Stewart Hendler
Stars: Briana Evigan, Leah Pipes, Rumer Willis, Jamie Chung, Julian Morris, Margo Harshman, Matt O'Leary, Matt Lanter, Maxx Hennard, Audrina Partridge, Carrie Fisher
Year: 2009
Rating: R

Much like the remake/update of Prom Night, I sort of liked Sorority Row ... even if I'm not exactly sure why. Very stereotypical of the slacker film genre, the characters aren't particularly developed (or for that matter very bright; I mean, who these days would walk into a dark, creepy room and say, "Hello? Is anyone there?" - I mean, is THAT asking for it, or what!). The storyline, while a great premise, isn't so strong and in fact has a bit of a weak revelation. And the script, while it has moments of inventiveness and is a bit clever in spots, is also quite typical of any other horror film of its ilk.

And yet somehow, the fresh young cast and creative enough killings keep things suspenseful enough to hold your interest. And I gotta admit, the opening premise is kind of cool.

The film opens on a humongous, fairly out of control party at the sorority house of the girls of Theta Pi - led by a small group of girls who have no idea how much their pledge of sisterhood and sisters for life is about to be tested. One of the girls, Megan (Audrina Partridge), has just gotten back with her boyfriend Garrett (Matt O'Leary) - taking him back after he cheated on her - and this little reunion also happens to involve a prank with Megan's girlfriends that ends up going horribly, horribly ... leading to a cover-up, and the beginnings of the rest of the I Know What You Did Last Summer storyline plot that follows.

For eight months later, with the past buried, out of the blue the Theta Pi sisters start to get creepy text messages from Megan's phone - and a hooded figure starts with the killings, using a very tricked-out tire iron as weapon of choice. Someone, it seems, has not only learned the girls' deadly secret - but is also acting out their revenge in a swift and brutal way. Or has the dead come back to life?

I didn't particularly care for the ending revelation, but along the way found myself entertained by a very attractive cast, and a few great performances by Briana Evigan as the "good girl" caught up in all the mess, and especially Jessica Pipes' turn as Jessica, the bitchy, heartless leader of the girls who starts all the trouble in the first place. Carrie Fisher even has a small, fairly comedic role as house mother Mrs. Crenshaw.

And in fact, the pop culture put-downs/references and dark humor in the film are probably what helps make it decent to watch. While not as clever as the similar style of humor done in films like the Scream series, here there is enough to keep the pace of the film from lagging, and while most hardcore horror fans will probably find this one about as suspenseful as throwing a Frisbee, I admit to having the occasional cringing moment, wondering when (or if) a certain character was about to "get it."

Worth a look for the hot cast, or if you like slasher flicks and need an evening's diversion. If only the ending had been better, or a bit more clever ... but this one still has its fun moments, for sure. Sadly, I have yet to see the original 1983 film, The House on Sorority Row, that this one was based on. So can only review this as a stand-alone, and as that it's pretty okay. And wouldn't you know - the ending of this one sets things up for a sequel. **1/2 - Reel Mediocre-Reel Cool