“House of Wax” (Warner Brothers Pictures)
Paris Hilton co-stars in the new horror film “House of Wax” and shows that despite looking plastic she can hold her own with a bunch of B grade actors. The film is a remake of a perfectly fine Vincent Price flick of the 1950’s and carries forth none of the fun and enjoyment of the original. This new version is just a go for the cheap thrill adventure that amuses, but the entertainment value melts away quickly when the movie ends.
A group of young people are on a road trip to see a football game. They take a short cut and end up spending a night camped in the woods. The next morning one of the cars won’t’ start so four of them leave for the game while two stay back and try to get a part for their car.
Carly and Wade (Elisha Cuthbert and Jordan Padalecki) are the two who stay behind. They wander into the town of Ambrose where the main attraction is a “House of Wax” exhibit. They meet up with a guy named Bo (Brian Van Holt) and things go downhill from there. It all becomes a game of ten little Indians, but in this instance there are only six people at the start.
The only thing innovative about this movie is the use of the Wax Museum and the other wax dummies set up around the town. There is a macabre sense of disgust when you think that these wax statues are made with real persons underneath. That is what happens to some of the victims, and strangely they seem to still be alive after the wax has encased them. I don’t think that is possible but it makes for a good horror effect.
Paris is on screen only to add some sex and beauty to the proceedings. Her role doesn’t require much acting and that is a good thing. Chad Michael Murray of “One Tree Hill” is also on hand as Paris’ male counterpart.
The movie is rated R for profanity and violence.
“House of Wax” will make a good video rental for someone just looking for some mindless entertainment. But is it worth the price of admission to a movie theater No way!
Elisha Cuthbert better hope that soon all is forgiven and she can get back on TV as Jack Bauer’s daughter, Kim, in “24.” That TV series looks like Shakespeare compared to this.
I scored “House of Wax” a melted 4 out of 10.
