’The Descent’ good date movie?

[Charlie]

Your lady friend wants to rent a chick flick. You want an action pic. At first glance 'Descent' only qualifies as the first. Six adventure sports gals go into a cave. Lots of talking and lots of girl empowerment. And even worse the lead guide is played by Natalie Mendoza (quite dark half Filipino-half German), so you know you'll be treated to images of the noble non-white being...well, noble.

But writer-director Neil Marshall didn't get the PC memo and lost the horror movie cliche manual. He made a different movie that will surprise you.

 

[Charlie]

Another thing that recommends the movie is the absence ofsexploitation, unusual for a horror film. No nudity. Lots of cussing though, but done in cute Scottish and Irish accents so it doesn't really count.

Why it didn't do better in terms of reviews and box office is a mystery. I suspect the racial angle, however muted, didn't go over big with critics. Actioners must have a bold Negro/Negress to save the day or at least offer sage advice. The Jackie Chan exception permits an Asian to fill the same role. But an Asian as heel deducts points.

And the Asian as heel in 'Descent' is done in a subtle way. You come away thinking the movie portrayal does a fine job of bringing into focus what the problem is with Asians in general.