The Burning

Based on an idea by Harvey Weinstein, The Burning follows several campers and counselors, including Jason Alexander’s Dave and Fisher Stevens’ Woodstock, as they’re pursued and killed by a disfigured caretaker named Cropsy. It’s a well-worn premise that’s employed to erratic yet surprisingly watchable effect by filmmaker Tony Maylam, as the director, working from Peter Lawrence and Bob Weinstein’s screenplay, delivers a stylish thriller that generally fares better than the majority of similarly-themed horror endeavors – with the watchable atmosphere certainly perpetuated and heightened by an affable crew of performers. It’s equally clear, however, that The Burning does suffer from a midsection that can’t help but feel padded-out in certain stretches, while the mineshaft-set climax isn’t exactly as enthralling or engrossing as Maylam has undoubtedly intended (ie the third act, for the most part, suffers from exactly the sort of running-around-in-the-dark vibe that tends to plague movies of this ilk) – which ultimately does secure the whole thing’s place as a decent slasher that benefits substantially from the inclusion of an engrossing, blissfully over-the-top kill sequence that itself justifies the film’s existence.

**1/2 out of ****