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Once in a blue moon, a horror film is made that is so much fun that you don’t even need an explanation for the events.  The story, though minimalistic on plot, is possible, the six characters are mostly believable, the effects are not ridiculous, and the gore flows like fine wine. Well, maybe not quite that classy, but you get the idea.  Am I over-inflating it, since many of us have learned not to expect much from these sorts of films anymore? Don’t care! “Splinter” was the most fun I’ve had watching a scary movie this year.

            The story begins (after the grim n’ gruesome pre-credit events) with two very different couples at the outskirts of a state park, one couple rather yuppyish, the other from beyond the wrong side of the tracks, each of whom is having what they think is a disappointing day.  Shortly after their lives become intertwined, the day takes a decidedly prickly downward plunge.  The squeamish among you may want to seek a nice, safe Pixar movie at this point.  The rest of us don’t want your negative vibes spoiling our good time.

            Speaking of spoiling, why so scanty with the details? As I mentioned earlier, there are only six people in this entire movie. It wouldn’t take much for me to ruin the outcome. Also, this is one of those films where they like to make the audience jump. Far be it from me to squelch that.  You need a bit more to go on? Ok…think John Carpenter’s “The Thing” minus snow and Kurt Russell.

**Spoiler alert** highlight to read

You might also think “Thing” (Addam's Family, not Fantastic 4)

** End spoiler**

            My only complaint was the typical horror movie issue of allegedly intelligent characters doing some seriously dumb-ass things.  I’m willing to overlook anything else in here, but don’t you ever get the urge to just grab a character by the collar and smack them for being a moron? Come on! You are safe inside, a monster is lurking outside, it can’t get to you, so why in the world would you open the door? Someone always does, too.  Why, why, why??? To continue the carnage, that’s why, and to get the idiots out of the celluloid gene pool. That’s my best guess.

No shaky cam work in here, kids, but they do like to pull the flickering image bit. It isn’t that bad. If you want a really good look at the monster, though, you may have to wait for the DVD in January so that you can pause it.  If you have the chance to see this in a theater, do so. Splinter is a great movie to see with a crowd.  It’s fast, it’s bloody, it’s creepy, and sometimes funny. If you can see it with a date, you’ll enjoy the jump-starts even more.