The Faculty, for me, is a must watch in October. It is one of the rare 90’s films that tried to do something a little bit different. At this point in the late 90’s, we were surrounded by the rebirth of the slasher genre which Urban legend being released in 1998 and Scream in 1996.
With the fellow stand alone The Craft from 1996, the Faculty came at a time where a little piece of difference was needed.
Starring a host of upcoming (at the time) actors who would make it big in the future. Including Josh Hartnett (30 days of Night, Penny Dreadful) who has starred in the slasher hit Halloween H20 in 1998. Jordanna Brewster (Fast and the Furious film series) ,as well as Elijah Wood (the Lord of the Rings films), starred in this epic teen cult hit. Following a group of teens from different groups within the high school groups have to work together in order to save their school, town and their parents fro being taken over by aliens.
This was such an odd film, as I said coming in when it did at such a time in the film where e were seeing a lot of slasher films. Produced by Miramax films and written by Scream writer Kevin Williamson and directed by Robert Rodriguez this film had everything going for it.
As a fan of 90’s teen horror films I adore the hell out of this film. Its cheeky on the nail humour mixed with genuine tension filled moments of horror this film is one that I highly recommend to all horror fans.
I think what is particularly good about this film is that is you are not really a horror fan you will likely still enjoy this film as it has a lot of comedic elements t it as well.
I can for sure see a relation in a way to The Breakfast Club. Just the fact that different kids from different social groups have to be forced to team up to deal with a situation is very much in the vein of The Breakfast Club, which certainly is not a bad thing at all.
Unlike many of the other 90’s teen horror films The Faculty has no sequels related to it which in itself gives this film a unique edge. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy the sequels to Scream and even the Urban Legend sequels have their good points, but this being a stand alone horror gives it an extra special something as I feel like this could really only be a one time kind of film.
So here it goes, do yourself a favour and check out The Faculty if you can. It is worth every moment of your time and is one of the best times you will have with a horror film.
|Ross Wilcock
Horror| USA, 1999 | 15 | Dir.Rober Rodriguez | Jordana Brewster, Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, Famke Janssen
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