Fear Clinic utilizes impressive low
budget special effects in place of a decent screenplay, believable acting, or
direction that is even moderately decent. The special effects department might
as well be listed as the film’s director, because that is the only thing to
keep this low budget cliché moving forward from one dull scene to the next.
Director Robert Hall is best known for his work as a makeup artist, and his
filmography as a director has been predictably dominated by this visual aspect,
with little to no regard for the narrative aspects of storytelling.
What is slightly
disappointing is how clever the initial plot seems to be, with a mad scientist
of sorts (played by horror icon Robert Englund) using controversial immersion
therapy to cure patients of their phobias. Dr. Andover (Englund) invented a
fear chamber for patients to safely face their greatest fears, through
unexplained science fiction technology that allows him to participate and view
the experience. This controversial study is shut down, but the doctor is forced
to start it up again to help a group of traumatized victims of a public
shooting.
This darker
aspects of the film’s narrative allow no humor or spectacle beyond the gruesome
elements of the film. It makes for bleak entertainment, which is not even the
worst problem. Even dark horror has a place if it is compelling, but this
web-series turned horror film is far too slow to start. By the time the action
and effects began to pick up, I had already lost interest in what happened to
the various indiscernible characters.
The Blu-ray is
for sale exclusively at Best Buy (until May 12th), and it features
one behind-the-scenes featurette. The high definition presentation of the film
is not nearly impressive enough to warrant watching this film on Blu-ray, but
the best solution might be to skip it altogether. Only die-hard horror fans are
likely to find any joy from this material.
Entertainment Value:
3/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 3.5/10
Historical Significance:
2.5/10
Special Features: 3/10
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