Gone

Released: 2007

Reviewed: 11.11.09
Star rating: 3 out of 5

Shaun Evans (Alex), Scott Mechlowicz (Taylor), Yvonne Strahovski (Sondra), Amelia Warner (Sophie), Victoria Thaine (Lena).

Brit Alex has just arrived in Australia and is headed to meet up with his girlfriend Sophie when he meets Taylor, a friendly American. The two pair up to meet with Sophie so she and Alex can go on vacation together. When they finally meet Sophie and let Taylor tag along on their holiday Alex begins to suspect something isn't right, but Sophie isn't buying it. Before long though, she will.

This is a somewhat deceiving thriller as it starts off pretty mild and takes a long time developing any steam. With about 20 minutes left in the film, after the audience has become connected with the characters, things take off and get quite exciting. By that time the plot is well developed and although we pretty much know what is coming, the ending is still quite good. I really enjoyed how the film started with one main character and ended with another leaving you to realize afterwards that neither were actually the main character in the film.

I actually thought the acting was decent in this one. Evans was a bit green but Mechlowicz and Warner both played their parts pretty well. It helped that both were very enjoyable to look at as well. Supporting work from Thaine and Strahovski was to brief to rate.

Sets and background consisted mainly of the Australian outback which although appropriate and fitting, also made the film feel somewhat low budget at times. Camera work was nicely done throughout the film. Special effects, mainly blood and gore, were also good as was the dialogue.

I put this one squarely in the middle of the road since it really didn't bring anything new to the thriller, stalker, teen scream arena. Violence, foul language, a couple of sexual scenes, and one scene of brief nudity but this should be okay for older teens and above.