The Collection

Director: Marcus Dunstan

Starring: Josh Stewart, Christopher McDonald, Emma Fitzpatrick, Randall Archer

Release Date: November 30  (Nationwide Theatrical Release)

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Rating: 9/10

Plot Summary:

Arkin escapes with his life from the vicious grips of “The Collector” during an entrapment party where he adds beautiful Elena to his “Collection.” Instead of recovering from the trauma, Arkin is suddenly abducted from the hospital by mercenaries hired by Elena’s wealthy father. Arkin is blackmailed to team up with the mercenaries and track down The Collector’s booby trapped warehouse and save Elena.

Continue on after the jump for the review.

For fans of the films 2009 predecessor ‘The Collector’ this is really going to be a treat for you.  This is one of the few horror sequels I have seen that dare to change the direction of the film and still manages to be a truly unique sequel that definitely holds up the original.  If you were contemplating going to catch this and weren’t sure, i highly recommend you do.

WARNING: This review contains spoilers for the films predecessor ‘The Collector’

‘The Collection’ picks up shortly after the first film with Arkin held captive by The Collector and escaping during a rave type party where the collector is waiting patiently in the wings to unleash a massacre on the hundreds of unsuspecting party goers.  ‘The Collection’ is a victory as a sequel in every way in my book.  They have managed to develop a truly great horror film into a series, while at the same time completely changing the formula and still succeeding in almost every way.
‘The Collection’ feels more like an action film than a horror film for the most part.  But make no mistake, that does not in any way mean a shortage of blood and gore.  The amount of blood and gore this time around has definitely been increased, as well as the body count.  For some reason i felt the first film was more disturbing in the way the gore was displayed, but considering this film felt more like a balls out action film it makes sense to keep things at a different pace and with a different effect.

The one issue i took with the film was the lack of closure concerning huge plot points from the first film that were not even addressed.  The perfect example is that in ‘The Collector’ the whole purpose of Arkin breaking into that house was to get money for his wife because she owed a loan shark and was living in fear.  Considering the end of the film I think it’s a safe bet to say he never got it to her.  Though if she never got the money how is she still alive and well, no longer living in fear? Even going so far as to make statements on public television.  These minor issues are the sole reason for my 9 rating as opposed to the full 10/10.
Josh Stewart does a wonderful job reprising his role as anti-hero Arkin, and I must say has become one of the very few characters in a horror series i have actually found myself really caring about and rooting for which is always rare.

If you are looking for a bloody good time and just under 90 minutes of balls to the wall bloody action, gore and dismemberements galore, then ‘The Collection’ is definately the film for you.  While it is probably not absolutely necessary to watch the first film before seeing this, if you have the chance to I would still highly recommend doing so.  It really helps you appreciate the range in which Marcus Dunstan & Patrick Melton (writers of ‘Saw IV-VII, Feast 1-3, Piranha 3DD)  have treated this series.

Dunstan & Melton have recently been reached for comment by other sites which have reported they would like to do a third entry in the series as well currently titled ‘The Collected’ and intend to take it in yet another completely different direction.  I really hope to see that happen, though after ‘The Collection’ bombed at the box office this weekend, pulling in just over a measly 3 million and ending in 10th place I’m not sure how great the odds are.

‘The Collection’ is currently playing in theaters nationwide via LD Distribution.

You can check out the official trailer as well as 6 minutes of the blood soaked opening sequence immediately below.

Rating: 9/10