by Karl Madsen, Editor

At the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con I had the privilege to attend the advance screening of The Collector, the tale of petty thief Arkin and the serial killer known simply as The Collector. In this first movie Arkin (Josh Stewart – Criminal Minds) has agreed to break in to one more house in order to help his ex-wife out of a financial scrape. The problem is that he isn’t the first intruder, and this one has booby trapped the house in order to have his way with the homes inhabitants. Oh yeah, he’s called The Collector because he keeps one person from each invasion in a trunk. Guess how Arkin makes it to the sequel?

The sequel, The Collection, starts at a literally killer rave, where Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick – The Social Network) finds and releases Arkin, only to take his place in the trunk. Elena comes from a well-to-do family, so a small mercenary force is hired which includes a reluctant Arkin. The force, led by Lucello (Lee Tergesen – Oz), need Arkin because of the map to The Collector’s lair he has. Piece of cake, right?

When the team arrives at the collector’s lair, Arkin is recruited (coerced) into taking them inside. I have to leave you here so I don’t spoil the movie, but I can tell you that once inside it’s as if a Jigsaw maze was designed by Hannibal Lecter.

I found this movie clever, tense, and disturbing. Borrowing from other movies of the same genre, The Collection makes its own mark in this field with new things to do to people, I mean he goes to obscene lengths to maim, torture, and kill his victims, except for the one trophy he keeps from each incident. The things found in his hideout are the things nightmares are made of.

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary with Director/Writer Marcus Dunston and Writer Patrick Melton
• 5 Mini Featurettes
• Alternate Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Widescreen Presentation
• English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio

Karl’s Scores:

Acting – A

Setting – A+

Special Effects – A

Creep Factor – A+

Tension – A

What the Heck Moments – Bunches. There are even What the Heck Moments in the deleted scenes

Overall – A

If The Collector borrowed from the Saw and Hostel franchises, and made them their own, The Collection makes it the Marquis de Sade’s. These flicks take the horror of torture in a different direction; every time you think you know what will happen… Well, be prepared to be surprised. I was.

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives The Collection 4 ½ trophy trunks out of 5.

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