Elisha Cuthbert

Chad Michael Murray

Brian Van Holt

Paris Hilton

Jared Padalecki

Robert Ri'chard

Jon Abrahams

Damon Herriman

Dragicia Debert

Murray Smith

Thomas Adamson

Sam Harkess

Emma Lung

Andy Anderson

Kendal Rae

Jaume Collet-Serra

Bruce Berman

Steve Richards

Herb Gains

Joel Silver

Robert Zemeckis

Stephen F. Windon

Joel Negron

Mary Gail Artz

Barbara Cohen

Alex Alvarez

Brian Edmonds

Nicholas McCallum

Graham 'Grace' Walker

Graham Purcell

Susan Downey

John Ottman

Ben King

Marc Spicer

Riki Byrne

Loren Robinson

Chad Hayes

Carey Hayes

Richard Mirisch

Erik Olsen

William H. Burton Sr.

Dilys Tan

Kerry Turnbull

Jack Watford

Noel McCartney

Dianne Bennett

Tom Brkich

James Colmer

Craig Fison

Axel Bartz

Mark Kennedy

Andrew Conder

Matt Toll

Benn Hyde

Billy Harmer

Phil Pastuhov

Greg Gilbert

Vince Valitutti

Elly Kamal

Maree McDonald

Anita Morgan

Samantha Walker

Jac Charlton

Justin Ditter

Wayne Diskin

Paul Norris

Angus Cameron

Warwick King

Jordan Barrow

Tapio Piitulainen

Gary Sherline

Bob Booker

Nick Walker

Mark Johnston

David Fletcher

Danny Baldwin

Sue Baldwin

Kim Pearce

Adam Avery

Jamie Crooks

Jo Weeks

Michel Aller

Craig Bryant

Karl Engeler

Jesse Moyes

Stewart Sorby

Mia Levinson

Bill Draper

Blake Archer

Frank J. Ellison

Deanne Stratford

Fiona Searson

Rod Conder

Christopher Alba

Larry Kemp

Amanda Goodpaster

Rick Giovinazzo

Richard Adrian

Eddie Kim

Paul 'Salty' Brincat

John B. Anderson

Bruce Bright

Mark Chataway

Suzanne Evans-Booth

David Sanger

John Breslin

Troy Clarke

David Orr

Craig Clarke

Vivienne Boo Fox

Gabrielle Nagy

Kym Sainsbury

Mystery

Horror

Thriller

House of Wax

Village Roadshow Pictures

Dark Castle Entertainment

Warner Bros. Pictures

United States of America

Engrossing and imaginative modern Mystery/Horror with Elisha Cuthbert 

RELEASED IN 2005 and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, "House of Wax" is a horror/slasher about six college students (4 dudes and 2 gals) who drive from Gainesville to Baton Rouge to attend a crucial football game. They end up camping in the woods somewhere off I-10 where some of the party discovers a mysterious town in the sticks that has a curious House of Wax. Horror and death ensue.

This is not a remake of the splendid 1953 Vincent Price cult flick of the same name. The only thing these two films have in common is their title, their genre, and the fact that they both involve a wax museum. It's therefore pointless to compare them as they are two totally different stories. Plot-wise, "House of Wax" is an obvious mixture of the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) and the 1953 film of the same name, along with elements of more modern flicks like “Wrong Turn” (2003) and torture porn.

Although the first 12 minutes or so are unimpressive with too much annoying shaky cam, the story starts to capture your attention at the camp-out sequence. From there their encounter with a horrible stench, a local hick, and the mystery of the isolated town & wax museum gradually pulls you in. The fairly slow initial 50-minutes are a crucial character-building and mystery-developing foundation to the final horrific hour.

The major protagonist of the story is Carly, played by Elisha Cuthbert, who was only 22 during filming and never looked better with her curvy cuteness. The glamorous and infamous Paris Hilton also stars and does a commendable job, but Elisha basically blows her out of the water as far as all-around beauty goes.

Speaking of Ms. Hilton, in light of the ads to “Come see Paris Hilton die,” it’s no secret that her character does indeed buy the farm and, the way it happens, is pretty amusing. The film's worth checking out for this scene alone, especially if you despise her.

The picture was shot in Queensland, Australia, of all places, but it works alright as a stand-in for the Deep South, although I don’t recall any hills along I-10, as depicted in the background of the town. Speaking of the town, it doesn’t look like a Deep South town, but rather a contrived set. Nevertheless, the filmmaking is top-notch in all categories with the rest of the no-name cast doing a fine job. As a matter of fact, the six college kids are all rather likable; even Nick (Chad Michael Murray), Carly’s supposedly 'black sheep' twin, once he shows his true colors.

"House of Wax" works fabulously for what it IS, a mystery/slasher flick. The unlikely story is played straight and serious by all involved; there's no silly "comedic relief" or camp to be seen. Everyone knows going in that this isn't going to be "Gandhi." But if you're in the mood for an entertaining and imaginative mystery/horror picture, look no further. "House of Wax" has practically everything you’d want in such a film. Why do I describe it as imaginative? See the conclusion's spectacular melting wax museum and you'll understand; this is F/X at its finest.

THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 48 minutes. WRITERS: Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes.

GRADE: B+

Better than expected remake from 2005 with some decent gore and the effects during the finale looks pretty good. The cast was alright, reminder Elisha Cuthbert's time starring in movies (courtesy of 24) but she was fine and even Paris Hilton wasn't... awful I suppose. Nothing I'd really revisit anytime soon but all in all found it to be entertaining. **3.5/5**

English

Trapped Among the Wax

Official Trailer