Why so much hype?

Overrated and overhyped

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Aggression Scale : (noun) A psychological test measuring the frequency of overt aggressive behaviors that may result in physical or psychological injury to others.Actually it was my intention to begin with a quote from Owen, the teenager who's at the core of this bloody home invasion, but this is impossible because he says not a single word throughout the film. Not a sound even. I was expecting a typical B-movie but as the movie progressed, I was pleasantly surprised. You can call it "Home Alone" for adults ("The Aggression Scale is like Home Alone on crack." I read somewhere) : bloody, vicious and sometimes straightforward explicitly violent. Compared with Owen, Kevin looks like a wimp. And the viciously tricks and booby traps that Owen constructs for his attackers, are worse and more deadly than those of Kevin.Essentially the story isn't that extraordinary. A certain Bellavance (Ray Wise) just left prison and wants to leave to a safer place together with his son. The only problem is that his hard-earned money is stolen. Four loyal gang members are instructed to find the money. And this task is tackled in a simple way: you take a list of all people who had something to do with it and you start off from the top of this list. Those who can't answer the questions, are unceremoniously provided with some fresh ventilation holes. And that's the first image you get to see in "The Aggression Scale". Immediately a bluntly and senseless slaughtering. The victim didn't even get the time to answer the question anyway. But it had effect, this "in-your-face" violence. I must admit I immediately sat straight after that moment. A real attention grabber that clarifies which direction it'll go.What Lloyd (Dana Ashbrook) and his companions weren't expecting, was the presence of the young scion Owen (Ryan Hartwig) of the family Rutledge, which was next on the list. This silent boy carries a fairly destructive secret with him. The Rutledge family has just moved into their new home where they wanted to start a brand new life. Lauren (Fabianne Therese) isn't happy about this course of events and clearly shows that. She doesn't feel like babysitting the weirdo Owen in this reconstituted family. However, she doesn't realize that she should be happy that this youngster stands at her side.Clearly it's a low-budget film, but one that was enormously appreciated by me. A fast-paced aggressive film that keeps your attention all the way. The continuous flow of violent scenes is perfectly dosed and the thoughtful actions of Owen make it interesting. Although he sometimes looked like a youthful MacGyver who used far-fetched methods which were successful because of the necessary amount of luck and coincidence. Also the performances can be praised. Ray Wise, who of course became known as Leland Palmer in "Twin Peaks", his contribution wasn't extensive. But the moments he came into the picture, he managed to portray a ruthless gangster.Also known from "Twin Peaks" is Dana Ashbrook (as Bobby Briggs). I surely didn't recognize him with that graying hair and rounded beard. He made me think of Ruben Block, the singer of Triggerfinger. But what charisma he exuded on the screen. The atmosphere changed immediately when he appeared. A threatening and unapproachable posture. He's surrounded by a few stereotype individuals : the mindless muscle bundle with a tremendous resilience, a moronic idiot and the cowboy-type with a "Je mon fou" attitude. But it's Ryan Hartwig who excels in his wordless role. In the beginning he looked like a retarded autistic boy but soon he grows out into a clever and inventive survivalist when he and his family are in danger The only one who irritated me immensely was Lauren. When trying to escape cold-blooded killers, you don't start running through the woods like a hysterical teenage girl screaming your lungs out. Luckily she calmed down near the end and gained control over herself again.There are several movies that show how someone can collapse psychologically and starts to react extremely aggressive. "The Aggressive Scale" however, shows how far one can go in his aggressiveness. It's a disturbing thought that someone is unable to control his aggressiveness without medication and constantly threatens others. But it's a starting point that's suitable to weave a fascinating concept around. The best hidden item in this film was the way Owen and Lauren grew together. They began as two strangers who interacted apathetically with each other and end up as a kind of Bonnie and Clyde. Inseparable and deadly vengeful.More reviews at http://opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be

I could write 100.000 words about how horrible this so-called movie is, but that would not even justify it enough, but what chocks me the most is to see how high IMDb has rated it. This, and this alone, was my reason to give it a chance, but I must say that IMDb ratings is not as trustworthy as it once wore. I think one of the previous reviews nails it down pretty well by saying "if this movie had been rewritten by a better writer, directed by a better director and recast, it would have been pretty good" Well, I think it would take much more then that but OK. Maybe, and just maybe, it could have been an average film. But come on guys.. What a disrespect for the viewers. How little effort can you possible have put in the creation of this horrible excuse for a movie. If I only could get those 85 minutes back.. Oh well.. At least Im not the one putting my name on the back of that piece of C**P

This was good... I know I don't normally start off that simply, but it really was quite good. I almost didn't recognize ol' Dana 'Bobby' Ashbrook with his white hair, but hey, it HAS been over 20 years for Goodness' sake! And, how absolutely cool is it to see a film with TWO 'Twin Peaks' alumni in it?! I frigg'n LOVE Ray Wise (he was just about THE best actor in 'TP' with Bobby being the 2nd - He really blew rings around the dull-@ss James character!) But, ol' Ray really doesn't have a whole lot to do here. Actually, if you do like him and you like Horror, the Indie film 'DEAD END' is a much better example of where he really has a chance to shine in his role (I HIGHLY recommend that one!)Sure, this movie isn't exactly rocket science, but I honestly felt that it was very sharp, competently put together, and very well written, acted, and directed. The extras are kinda fun, watching the interviews and the 'Behind the scenes' stuff. Like the director said in his comments, they tried to create a 'Home Invasion' type film, but with strong, believable, 3 dimensional bad guys. This is a good, solid thriller. And DUDE, whomEVER is responsible for the shorts that the girl wore can have WHATEVER the hell they want! : ) The pacing is very strong. I thought that most of the acting was really carried by the bad guys. I found them extremely intriguing, odd, and interesting. The little bald guy looked like SUCH a dweeb, but he had a certain off-beat vibe going that worked really well. And the big bald guy had a really intriguing depth to his character. I like Dana Ashbrook, but his character here didn't really allow him much latitude in his performance; I actually had his Dad, Buddy Ashbrook as a teacher in an acting class at Palomar college about 30 years ago (In the Northern San Diego area - I live about 3 miles from there now :) I REALLY dug Dana's role in 'TWIN PEAKS'; I truly wish he had had more of a chance to do a lot of other films. I think I first remember seeing him as a teen in 'A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET' (1984) along with a VERY young Johnny Depp in his first role.Anyway, sorry to meander all around the place here... Basically if you want some good ol' Thriller entertainment where the bad guys take a deserved and gruesome pounding, then you really should enjoy this one. The reviewers here who didn't like it obviously don't like these kind of films and so shouldn't be watching them, and particularly NOT trashing them here... I mean, I personally do NOT like 'Torture Porn' films in any way, shape, or form, but you won't see me coming here, writing reviews dumping all over the 'HOSTEL' & 'SAW' films. What's the point...? Let those who truly LIKE those kind of films talk about them and review them; that way, a person who ALSO likes similar films can hopefully benefit from a helpful review from people who also enjoy them...

The Aggression Scale – TRASH IT (C) The Aggression Scale should have been called "Home (Horror) Alone". From beginning to end, it screams mediocrity. They must be thinking we are making something clever, though don't get me wrong the script is good but it's the execution and continuity of the movie which is horrible. The teen boy (Ryan Hartwig) and girl (Fabianne Therese) did a decent job in running around. all other cast was very tacky and let down from the lead teen actors. There are very few moments which are really gruesome but overall movie is so tacky and pretentious that it loses its focus. No one should waste their time.