URBAN LEGEND (1998)

Directed By: Jamie Blanks 
Written By: Silvio Horta 
Cinematography: James Chressanthis 
Editor: Jay Cassidy 


Cast: Alicia Witt, Tara Reid, Rebecca Gayheart, Jared Leto, Joshua Jackson, Michael Rosenbaum, Loretta Devine, John Neville, Robert Englund, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Danny Comden 

 A college student suspects a series of bizarre deaths are connected to certain urban legends.

I remember seeing this film at a secret sneak preview and even though I didn’t have to pay. still left this movie defeated and enormous disappointed. After looking forward to it for months. As this was one of the films that I kept my eye on when the internet was still new and movie news was plentiful in the headlines and details.

This is one of those films that was clearly influenced by SCREAM and is obviously trying to be for the same type of audience. Except that SCREAM was actually well done this seems more haphazard and eventually comes across almost as an unintentional inspired spoof.

The film is surprisingly disappointing. As it seems at every turn to go the wrong way. Never quite settling on a tone and generally all over the place. Yet never quite achieving over the top.

The producers Got an all star cast of up and comers together mainly to just be victims in this film. Though they do help attract an audience. As they were known enough to be more high profile victims or suspects. Even though the death of the main characters roommate, her goth roommate seems especially cruel. When the film seems to be trying to make her deeper or have the audience have some sympathy for her. Where the film offers great kills and even a premise that could easily work if done the right way. Yet comes across as trying to give the audience what they want by pandering rather then being inventive which is what the audience for this film might actually be seeking.

Once the killer is revealed the reasoning given is so ridiculous. As this film is supposed to be a comedy so it does come off as ridiculous. Though it seems to want us to take this seriously.

The performances aren’t that good either. While the cast is nice to look at it does just feel like some teens trying to actually more adult in a film that asks them more to act their age.

Jared Leto as always Is heavily featured but his role doesn’t amount to much other than as a love interest and in his role as a campus reporter he more comes across as trying too hard in a role clearly not for him.

For a film about urban legends though the killings would be more original or inspired as every character more plays a cliche and goes down in gory ways but the film Never feels that smart. Where most of the characters are surface and offer little to no depth.

The film has the opening kill that eventually comes back around to the other characters and introduces the killer and their methods. Though wittily the kind of celebrity cameo (at least for horror fans) isn’t the victim but an actor in the scene who goes uncredited.

The film comes off more as ridiculous unintentionally. Though at times wants us to go with it as tongue in cheek. As some scenes and performances we are supposed to take seriously are funny and the ones that are funny just seem more corny. It just doesn't have the fun that it seems to want to have.

The only effective scenes is the killing of her roommate which also seems a little cruel and a moralistic choice if the film to kind of throw down a punishment for sexual freedom. As it feels a bit like slut shaming. As her character actively seeks, enjoys and revels in it.

It’s a shame as this is one of rare leading roles Alicia Witt. Has in a studio film and while she does what is needed in the lead. She hasn’t graced many genre especially horror films since. 

Jared Leto seems either bored, or regretting his decision to appear in this film as he has no gusto and seems distracted. Where as he performs like he is better than the material. 

Then again the script seems to think it is smarter or wittier than the audience. When at times it feels dumber down. 

The film does at least include some roles for horror veteran actors Danielle Harris and Brad Dourif in a cameo role. Not to mention John Neville more known for The ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSSEN. 

Which might be one of the problems of the horror boom around the time where the films were more aimed at teens light on gore but heavy on suspense. Seeming to try to out think the audience. Rather then just entertain. The films obviously pay homage to their inspirations that only some in the audience might get. As they try to be just as memorable, but feel more like copies. Branded more for a

Mainstream audience. Made more for general audiences not particularly genre fans. So this is their introduction to horror and hoping it will end up being a gateway drug. 

It is also the rare horror film where a person of color actually survives the film and even comes back for the sequel and survives that one also.

The film just feels rushed and like they invented scenes at the last minute as they went along. 

This film also surprisingly got a sequel with only two cast members returning and one only in a cameo. 

Grade: F