Trauma on DVD (1993)

loz#6 from BRISTOL , 18/09/2004

A misfire of staggering proportions, Trauma finds acclaimed horror director Dario Argento leaving his native Italy and attempting to work his magic on an American film ? and failing completely. It?s set up should make it classic Argento material in the Deep Red/Bird With a Crystal Plumage mould ? a black gloved figure is committing brutal killings (who naturally turns out to be the last person you?d expect), whilst the observer of an earlier crime tries to work out the killers identity by the visual clue they unknowingly picked up. Unfortunately Argento?s execution here is hopeless. There has often been an element of B-movie plotting in Argento?s previous films, but even the likes of Terror at the Opera managed to ride over their cheesy storylines thanks to the amazing direction. Here the acting is almost universally dire (maybe Argento isn?t used to directing English speaking roles?), the storyline contrived, the visuals flat and boring, and the musical score is diabolical. Even Argento?s trademark murders feel tacky, as despite the Tom Savini effects we have such over the top ridiculousness as decapitated heads talking and screaming (what do you think your lungs are for Dario?). Argento?s earlier films are glorious ? but this plays like a tacky B-movie ? avoid.

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Head case

A customer from UK , 03/05/2005

Dario Argento?s least Argento-like movie represents a (failed?) attempt to crack the American mainstream. Anorexic Aura witnesses the decapitation of her parents by a crazed ?headhunter? and teams up with an ex-junky graphic artist (seriously) to track him down before her head joins theirs. The plot is actually rather ingeniously designed (as is the automatic decapitation machine ? one for the Gadget Shop, surely) but the pacing is well off the mark and the characters are unconvincing. Still, the set pieces, when they come, are generally good and as stylishly mounted as you would expect from Argento, but the ending remains curiously unsatisfying, relying on some shameless plot contrivances to get the villain in a position to meet a suitably sticky end.

Worth a watch for Argento fans, others would be better off staring with Tenebre or Profondo Rosso.

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there was nothing traumatic about this one

A customer from U.K MANCHESTER , 21/10/2004

This must have been the biggest load of

sh.t i`ve seen in a long time the acting was crap as for the story line don`t even go there.Deffo give this one a MISS.

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Another Entertaining one......

Tania Cooper from Ashford in England , 25/01/2005

I like medical stuff and hospitals etc and this was what i call another entertaining rubbish. I would higher it again but probably wouldnt recommend it.

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Head case

A customer from UK , 03/05/2005

Dario Argento?s least Argento-like movie represents a (failed?) attempt to crack the American mainstream. Anorexic Aura witnesses the decapitation of her parents by a crazed ?headhunter? and teams up with an ex-junky graphic artist (seriously) to track him down before her head joins theirs. The plot is actually rather ingeniously designed (as is the automatic decapitation machine ? one for the Gadget Shop, surely) but the pacing is well off the mark and the characters are unconvincing. Still, the set pieces, when they come, are generally good and as stylishly mounted as you would expect from Argento, but the ending remains curiously unsatisfying, relying on some shameless plot contrivances to get the villain in a position to meet a suitably sticky end.

Worth a watch for Argento fans, others would be better off staring with Tenebre or Profondo Rosso.

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loz#6 from BRISTOL , 18/09/2004

A misfire of staggering proportions, Trauma finds acclaimed horror director Dario Argento leaving his native Italy and attempting to work his magic on an American film ? and failing completely. It?s set up should make it classic Argento material in the Deep Red/Bird With a Crystal Plumage mould ? a black gloved figure is committing brutal killings (who naturally turns out to be the last person you?d expect), whilst the observer of an earlier crime tries to work out the killers identity by the visual clue they unknowingly picked up. Unfortunately Argento?s execution here is hopeless. There has often been an element of B-movie plotting in Argento?s previous films, but even the likes of Terror at the Opera managed to ride over their cheesy storylines thanks to the amazing direction. Here the acting is almost universally dire (maybe Argento isn?t used to directing English speaking roles?), the storyline contrived, the visuals flat and boring, and the musical score is diabolical. Even Argento?s trademark murders feel tacky, as despite the Tom Savini effects we have such over the top ridiculousness as decapitated heads talking and screaming (what do you think your lungs are for Dario?). Argento?s earlier films are glorious ? but this plays like a tacky B-movie ? avoid.

Read all highest rated reviews