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List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 52290
Released: January 3, 2006 |
| Our Price: $2.14 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
DEEP IN A ROMANIAN FOREST, SCIENTISTS STUMBLE UPON THE RUINS OF A 13TH CENTURY ABBEY BUILT OVER THE ENTRANCE TO AN UNDERGROUNDCAVE SYSTEM. THEY HIRE A GROUP OF AMERICAN CAVE EXPLORERS TOINVESTIGATE THE CAVES. BUT THE GROUP'S ESCAPE ROUTE IS CUT OFF &THEY ARE HUNTED BY THE MONSTROUS CREATURES THAT LIVE DOWN BELOW.
Description of The Cave (Full Screen Edition):
While it might give spelunkers a few helpful hints about using their equipment, The Cave is strictly routine as an Alien-styled monster show. The film's major achievement is its impressive setting -- not a real cave under the Carpathian mountains (where the ill-fated characters are exploring "the Amazon of underground rivers") but a lavishly convincing cave set built on a Romanian soundstage. This gives first-time director Brad Hunt (a second- and third-unit director on the Matrix trilogy) the movie's only claim to originality, as the cavernous interiors become a death trap for most of the nine-person team (led by Cole Hauser, and including Morris Chestnut, Daniel Dae Kim from TV's Lost, and Coyote Ugly's Piper Perabo) that's exploring the maze-like cave for reasons never fully explained (maybe they just wanted to test out their fancy gear). They're not alone down there, and creature-feature specialist Patrick Tatopoulos borrows from the H.R. Giger design-book with some gnarly critters that, in turn, borrow elements from The Thing to foment suspicion and anxiety among the dwindling crew of survivors. It's all familiar to genre buffs, but there's just enough in The Cave to satisfy the curiosity of its intended audience. Dumped into theaters for a marginal release in late summer 2005, it's precisely the kind of horror flick that finds a second life on DVD. --Jeff Shannon
The Cave (Full Screen Edition) Reviews:
Clarification regarding "The Cave" . . . 
2009-12-07 - "The Cave" is definitely worth watching!!! MUCH BETTER THAN MANY SUGGEST!!!
This is not a complete review of "The Cave". I do not feel that this would be necessary, given the 128 plus reviews currently on the Amazon site. I simply wish to correct, some of the incorrect, negative statements offered about this particular film. I had delayed purchasing and watching this film, as a direct result of the very cold reviews written for this movie. I am very glad, that I finally decided to spend the whopping three and a half dollars to place a nice copy of the DVD in the mailbox via Amazon Marketplace. No matter what you have read previously, this film will be far better than you could imagine, if you were to base your expectation from most of the written reviews.
"The Cave" is a "Science Fiction" entertainment film, as opposed to a scientifically correct documentary drama. I am absolutely amazed by the luke warm reviews of this movie. This film fulfills the exact purpose which its creators had intended, to deliver visually stunning entertainment for just short of an hour and forty minutes. The acting is much better than most reviewers suggest. The aspects of the explained story which some claim are missing or deficit, simply are not, IF YOU PAY ATTENTION FROM THE BEGINNING (Title Screen) TO END!!!
Some suggest that the audience is not given proper explanation as to why the team of investigators has entered the cave in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania in the first place. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! Toward the beginning of the film, a group of archeologists and historians are uncovering the ruins of an ancient church building which had been created to seal the entrance to this cave system. The ancient symbols and writings suggest that there are hidden secrets within the cave, and there is much mythology and history of people either trying to keep closure on the cave, or trying to unlock its mystery and secrets. The team leader of the archeologists and historians calls in a team of professional cave divers, rock climbers, a medical doctor, scientist, and cameraman to help with the investigation, as the entrance has been reopened to gain access. THE PURPOSE OF THE TEAM ENTERING THE CAVE, was to electronically map as much of the cave system as possible within a twelve day period, and also, to collect material samples along the way. THIS WAS THEIR ORIGINAL PURPOSE!!!
The team members do show a clear and detectable let down when the first person "goes missing" without a clear explanation as to why. They are visibly torn as to continue with the original mission as planned or to turn back, but they know that they need a clear understanding for what happened to their team member. They show angst and tension, as to whether they should or should not continue with the original sample collecting and mapping process which was suppose to take place over a twelve day duration. The entrance which they had entered collapses by way of a peculiar explosion, and the focus and goal of the entire team changes dramatically from that point forward. Placed in this intense life and death situation of needing to find a safe, alternate exit, the tension and adrenaline of all persons intensifies radically. When people start to die through the process of their quest for a way out of the cave system, the remaining members are working at a constant, quick pace to simply remain living before the elements get the best of them. As in many traumatic events, those directly involved may not show vulnerable emotion or shed tears, until well after the event is over, and they have a chance to decompress and take in what has truly happened. The emotion which is shown during this process is delivered in the form of tension and angst, rather than sensitive tear shedding. When driven by adrenaline to retain life, this is probably more accurate, than sitting on a rock and crying your eyes out. I do not fault the film, or script, for taking this approach.
Some suggest that we are not given proper explanation as to the origin of the primary creature causing the grief, once again, THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! I don't wish to give away all of the plot points, and many of the basic elements of the other reviews are correct, however, I do wish to correct some common misunderstandings which some seem to have. "THE PARASITE" which the lead scientist(Lena Headey) refers to, was a biological bacterial parasite from the environment of the cave, which was interacting with the tissue of the creature, visibly seen through the lens of a microscope. The creature itself, was not labeled as such, and would have been considered simply a predator animal, whose origin we clearly understand before the conclusion of the film. Also, the team clearly identifies smaller animals which had evolved in the cave system, and which would provide plenty of food for the larger creatures to feed off of. THIS WAS CLEARLY EXPLAINED IN THE MOVIE!!!
I will agree with many, that Daniel Dae Kim was under used in the movie, given his talent and on screen presence in other works. However, people should remember what his character's role was within this movie "The Cave". He played the role of a cameraman filming their mapping and sample collecting expedition. In keeping in line with the story, his input wasn't vital to the story moving forward to the same degree, that say, the character played by Cole Hauser, Lena Headey, Eddie Cibrian, Morris Chestnut, or Piper Perabo had been. I enjoy Daniel Dae Kim, but the simple reality is, that this particular role did not need to share the same screen time as the rest. FOR THE RECORD, Daniel's character screams during the final four seconds of his last scene, not every time that he is on screen, as some had suggested!!!
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS . . . If you are seeking a nicely paced, action filled, visually stunning, all around enjoyable entertainment film, than you should either view it by rental, buy it for less than renting via Amazon Marketplace, or simply buy it new through Amazon, and add it to your collection. Worthy of more than one viewing!!! The visuals are stunning on a decent quality HDTV using a good upscaling DVD player, and of course, the soundtrack sounds great with a multi channel system on the proper setting. The given "PG-13" rating is extremely appropriate for this movie, nothing in this film would be overly intense for any person 13 or older. Good Luck!!!
Happy movie watching . . .
really thanksful for the seller 
2009-11-22 - I purchased The Cave from the seller and it turned out the first part of the movie was messed up. The previews before it and after the first part that's messed up works fine. I still haven't got it fixed, I'm going to try to get a scratch repair kit. He refunded my money and I am very thankful for it.
Ok if a bit mindless. 
2009-10-28 - I would agree with much of what others have already written. The sets are terrific. The acting is OK - after all the actors are really just doing what the director tells them to do. The problem with the film is that if you start actually thinking while watching it, then it falls apart. There are far too many instances of Hollywood-heroics (something that some writer, or director thinks will look good from a cinematic perspective but which actually make no sense at all). The story line has been done many times - a monster(s) eating up a small group of people who try desperately to escape that fate. It's a theme that allows of almost endless variations and I have no quibble with that. But if you're looking for great originality this is not the movie for you. Take it for what it is - late night escapist fare - and settle back with a big bowl of homemade popcorn. Don't think too hard and it's kind of a fun ride.
I keep coming back to THE CAVE
2009-07-02 - This film has polarized viewers, to say the least...
Lovers of horror and scary-scifi are lured into THE CAVE by its simple title, which promises us claustrophobic thrills. The premise hooks us because it is so PRIMAL: we're afraid of such places - and to make matters worse, frightening creatures are lurking in the shadows and beneath the waters that flow through the cave system. The situation provides a strong engine for such a story.
But "situation" is not enough - it should serve as a springboard for memorable, sympathetic characters to say and do interesting things throughout a strong chain of scenes. And that's the problem - THE CAVE seems somewhat lost and confused, sort of like the characters themselves. This is regrettable because, as an audience, we're all geared up: we've suspended our disbelief and we've entered THE CAVE as willing participants. But we don't bond with the characters in this crucible situation the way we do in a movie like Jaws or Alien. They don't unfold to us in a way that draws us in, making us feel what they feel, charming us with their personalities - at least not as strongly as in the greater films cited. I attribute this fault to the script more than the actors. Stronger material might have allowed an actor like Daniel Dae Kim to strut his stuff (whose star rose with the TV show LOST, precisely because its material was so character-driven and excellent), but, alas, that doesn't really happen for any character in this piece.
Still, there are multiple dimensions to a film, and I give a lot of credit to its makers for crafting a gorgeous film. Its look, feel, sounds, and creatures are all outstanding. As a purely right-brained exercise, this movie is fun for the senses. It may not be cinematic filet-mignon, but sometimes one is hungry for McDonald's and can find much satisfaction in a Big Mac. I know I can.
As Stephen King has said, we're all connoisseurs of trash. You've got yours and I've got mine. And so I won't judge this film too harshly. It's a film I bought and have kept in my collection. And something causes me to revisit it now and again, especially when I'm not sure what else to watch. It's fun and it entertains on enough levels for me, at least. Enough that I keep coming back to THE CAVE.
If you haven't seen it yet, I'd encourage you to give it a spin (especially genre fans). It just might exceed your expectations - or not. In any event, I'll part with these words: "Enter at your own risk." ;)
A DECENT MONSTER FILM 7 OUT OF 10
2009-06-10 - Whoever has seen this film and The Descent can't help but compare the two films. After all they both take place in caves, and monsters in the caves like to eat people. Both films were made the same year and came out the same year. Unfortunately, The Cave cannot match the horror masterpiece that is The Descent. Still, this film won't ruin your day and does offer a good time to just sit back. It's a good popcorn film.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: When a team in Romania finds a church with a cave hidden beneath it, the team disappears. Shoot forward thirty years later, and another team excavates it. A team of the world's best divers and cave climbers are assembled to explore this cave that lies two miles underground and is several miles long. At first things seem okay, until one of the group members disappears and the entrance to the cave collapses. Now the team must survive the monsters that inhabit this cave and find a way out before they become dinner.
MUSIC: The musical score is well done and it does fit the atmosphere of the film quite well.
ACTION: This film is surprisingly violent for a PG-13 film, I'm surprised it's not R-rated. The film can be quite bloody at times with people being eaten. Sure it will never be as gory as The Descent, but it's still bloody. This film has fantastic set pieces that are stunningly beautiful. The designs of the cave that is explored are some of the best set pieces I've seen. I also liked how the creatures were designed and they didn't look like fake CGI. This is where the film shines.
ACTING: This area is not so good, and the dialogue isn't any better. The actors weren't exactly bad, but they could have been way better, like how the actresses in The Descent made it seem real and frightening. This is a low point for the film.
OVERALL: Rental. It's a decent as a whole, but The Descent would be a much better purchase. This serves as really nothing more than popcorn entertainment in the dark, and it does succeed at being that. It won't ruin your day, but you have better options.
THE GOOD: Fantastic set pieces, cool monster designs and creature attacks, and good music.
THE BAD: Unoriginal storyline, starts off slow, a lousy ending, and the acting and dialogue isn't that good.
