Mickster Movie Review - "You're Next" (2013) **1/2

     One of the better horror films I've seen in the last decade was 2008's The Strangers, about a young couple who are terrorized by a group of masked invaders in their home. As is often the case, what makes some of the best scary movies are when you can imagine the events happening in real life. What would you do in these situations? It can be terrifying to think about. The Strangers was very effective in this regard and will always be a personal favorite. You're Next is a descendant of The Strangers but doesn't quite work as effectively, though there is enough good here for a slight recommendation.

     The Davison's are a dysfunctional family...to say the least. They are gathering at a large house to celebrate a family reunion. The main story focus is on one of the sons, Crispian (AJ Bowen) and his new girlfriend Erin (Sharni Vinson), who is several years younger then Crispian, a fact that the other family members gladly point out. There are two other brothers, and a sister, all joined by their significant others, along with the mother and father. The family seems to argue relentlessly, even right at the dinner table, which makes everyone uncomfortable. This are starting to get heated when one of the guests stands up near a window and takes an arrow to the head, killing him instantly. This sets off a panic among the rest of the family as they soon realize they are being attacked by a group of individuals who are trying to invade the home. The "invaders" wear masks of various animals and are quite effective at their jobs. That is, until one of the house guests turns out to be VERY effective themselves in the art of survival.

     You're Next will probably not be a film I remember well in 10 years, that's the state of most horror films. But you can definitely do a lot worse. It's got some pretty decent gore and may not be for the "casual" horror watcher but fans of the genre should definitely give it a shot. You may even like it more than I did, I wouldn't be surprised. There's some good fun here. I give it a slight recommend.

Mickster