. Both movies involve very similar viral infection scenario's and the method of contamination/illness is uncannily similar. Cabin Fever also has several scenes which should give the viewer pause (i.e. having to quarantine the love of your life in a shack). The two movies differ, in that Cabin Fever never bothers to explain the source of the infection or, for that matter, has no desire to be a commentary on the human condition. Both movies are very watchable and scary but for very different reasons.
The strength of Cabin Fever is its cast of characters and their interactions with each other and the circumstances they find themselves in. You'll recognize people you went to school with in the campers. Despite the levity, inherent in the whacky locals that populate the camping grounds, Cabin Fever takes the time to have its characters react honestly.
In the final analysis what makes Cabin Fever work is a unique combination of self-parody and seriousness that in the process raises the bar for future similar films.
Cabin Fever is the best "scary" movie since "The Blair Witch Project".
Running time - 94 minutes
Check out my TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2003 & WORST MOVIES OF 2003 lists.
Alternative Reviews:
Roger Ebert's Review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
Peter Travers / Rolling Stone Review
Cabin Fever Official Web Site
