MovieChat Forums > Elevator (2012) Discussion > The problem with this film...(spoilers)

The problem with this film...(spoilers)

posted 12 years ago by TheatreNachos
11 replies | jump to latest

Here's the deal: In this day and age of 24-hour media cycles, reality TV law enforcement procedurals, and social media, films have to be written more clever and realistic than ever. The film does just an ok job of setting up a group of people stuck in an elevator; I can also believe that one of them happens to have a bomb. There are some minor issues getting to this point, but nothing that made me lose interest. However, once it all hits the fan, the film completely drops the ball.

1. Once stuck, and the "technician" called on the intercom proved to be incompetent, why wouldn't the guy whose name is one the building call one his many lackeys and have them start dealing with the issue? The guy seems perfectly content to talk to his wife "I'm sure it won't be long", instead of taking some action.

2. Once they call emergency services, (especially when they know the head of the corporation is on the elevator with a bomb), they wouldn't just say "sit tight" and hang up the phone. They would be in constant contact with these people.

3. When they force the door open and the guy is reaching for the buttons, why are there no emergency personnel services people there (the 49th floor)? As mentioned above, they would be in constant contact with those inside, and by that time, there would be people with the doors propped open talking to them face to face. If nothing else, building security or people from the company I would think would be there.

4. At the end, during the epilogue, it's hilarious how there are news crews just wandering around everywhere. They're filming people getting into the ambulance, walking up to victims...it's hilarious. The media wouldn't be anywhere near these people, and probably the building, until hours after the event occurred. The news crews certainly wouldn't be talking to these people until hours after the FBI debriefed them.

Anyway, for me, these things ruin the film for me. It takes innovation to get around these issues, and this film came up short of that.

[–] ndrp0214 12 years ago

wow...slow down there, it. is. just. a. movie. This is a low budget movie for purely entertainment purposes only. I just view it for what it is without all the technical details and lowered expectations. Had it been a big blockbuster film- then it would merit your review. I actually like this movie for what it's worth.

[–] jmbwithcats 12 years ago

I believe he knows it's a movie, and his point is all these issues caused the movie to not be entertaining, what you considered to be what a movie is for.

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[–] Siamois 12 years ago

... I liked the movie too but all his points are spot on. Some of them bothered me during viewing. I don't give a flying F... how low budget the movie is. You do not need budget to write a great script.

[–] ladydesdemonna 12 years ago

As someone who worked in the hoist industry for years, it's always hard for me to watch these types of movies. That said I did enjoy the film, though it was hardly realistic in terms of what would actually happen with not only the lift itself, but emergency responders.

It's all fun and games until someone gets caught. Then it's larceny.

[–] polexia 12 years ago

lady, could you give us an idea of what kind of protocol there would have been in this situation?

"though it was hardly realistic in terms of what would actually happen with not only the lift itself, but emergency responders. "

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[–] Siamois 12 years ago

The movie wasn't ruined for me but I was bothered, especially by your point 3 (lack of emergency personnel when they open the door).

Other things that bothered me were the weird character development (especially the comedian whose claustrophobia conveniently disappears) and the unbelievably bad acting by some of the cast (especially the bomber).

[–] plo617 12 years ago

I agree with all of the Op's points. I would have thought that they would have had a bomb expert go in there to disarm the bomb. At the very least, to see what they were working with. Especially once the creator of the bomb came forward. I still liked the movie, but I was constantly saying to myself where is everyone at? Especially since there was a big shot in the elevator.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] sol20051 11 years ago

It's a cliche after another cliche, very common for this genre. Sorry that this low budget horror-suspense film that can only be found at Netflix (?) did not meet expectations.

You knew what you were getting before you even hit "play"

[–] sol20051 11 years ago