Ruins, The (Cert 18) Cinema Review

10:47pm Monday 14th July 2008

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IN CARTER Smith's gruesome horror film, adapted by Scott B Smith from his book, the sprawling flora finally talks back and you're really not going to like what it has to say.

Humans aren't top of the food chain after all, plants are, and their fertiliser of choice is freshly spilt blood.

The Ruins unfolds in the scorching heat of Cancun, Mexico, a paradise of lush tropical forests and gorgeous sandy beaches.

Diligent medical student Jeff (Tucker) and his girlfriend Amy (Malone) soak up the sun on a well-earned break with Amy's best friend Stacy (Ramsey) and her slacker boyfriend Eric (Ashmore).

Poolside, they meet German holidaymaker Mathias (Anderson), whose brother has ventured into the jungle on an archaeological dig at a remote temple.

He suggests they all make a day trip to the crumbling structure, the site for human sacrifices hundreds of years ago.

The sightseeing expedition turns ugly when bow and arrow-wielding locals chase the tourists up the steps of the temple and refuse to let them leave.

Hearing the peals of a mobile phone, Jeff and Eric lower the girls into the darkness of the temple chamber but the holidaymakers soon realise that the bloodthirsty mob at the base is nothing compared to the horrors that lurk inside.

7/10 Chilling