Okay, as promised, my review of Fright Nights from Friday evening (all my opinions on Reserve n Ride will be in that thread though). As ever, there will be spoilers; you've been warned! I'll review 'em as I did them during the night...
My Bloody Valentine
I dunno about this maze at all. I loved Experiment 10 in 2011, and I know it wasn't a 'one tricky pony' for me. It was awful in 2012 (indeed, I remember my first thoughts after doing it then were 'Thorpe have successfully ruined a great maze'. Last year, MBV was okay (at best) in its own right, and had potential, but needed a lot of work. Unfortunately, that work hasn't happened.
The starting talk once again is a very nice touch. However, they've moved away from the film's story a bit, which is a shame (especially since it makes the maze make less sense overall). But something like that won't make a maze terrible. The hospital scene is beautifully themed, but being at the front, I got no actor interaction at all, which is a shame. After being directed right, we were occasionally pushed into some of the old isolation cupboards, and then told to get back out - definitely a nice touch.
Crawled through the tunnel and an actor was banging on top at the exit of it. That bit works well actually, so no complaints from me. Carry on through the maze a bit more a reach an inflatable thing which means you have to duck under. I can see what they've tried doing here, but it just doesn't work. If you've crawled through the tunnel, if feels like a cheap knockoff of that, and it just doesn't alarm you. Wandered round a bit more, through the forest, and then into darkness. Made our way past some stuff and then encountered one or two actors shouting before leaving...
Lack of actors, no real ending and just no real major scaring happening. I just don't get how it's rated 5/5 for scares; it's not long and it's not particularly scary. Maybe I've become desensitised to the whole thing a bit, but I somehow doubt that when I've done other mazes in past more times and still been got by them. This maze needs some SERIOUS rethinking.
4/10
Cabin in the Woods
My favourite maze at last year's Fright Nights. Great theming, really clever idea and good actors. The ending needed work, but hoped that would be rectified.
This year, the maze lacked the clever idea which made it work oh so well. The idea of choice was lost a bit, and whilst there were multiple routes still, it felt like a gimmick than part of the story, Last year, you would choose a door, then close it behind you and see what happened. This didn't happen this year, leaving us with loads of open doors, empty rooms and a very 'meh' first half. I ended up finding the control room again (not difficult when the door was wide open and not particularly concealed anyway!), and it didn't work. Oh.
However, the second half really picked up. Tonnes of actors, clever tricks and lots of in your face scares. It captures the chaotic feel from the facility in the film, which is great. There were an awful lot of clowns on my go, so I do hope that they mix it up a bit on different days (just for the sake of it). However, much like last year, the ending just sorta happened. Okay, so there were loads of actors, but it still doesn't feel like the maze should end there; it just feels like it's been cut off.
All in all, still a good maze that I do enjoy, and it's great to see that they've mixed things up a bit with it. Needs a couple more actors in the first half of the maze and an actual ending to improve it though.
6.5/10
Studio 13: The Motel
Finally, The Asylum has kicked the bucket. It's no secret that I thought the maze was long overdue leaving, and I was glad that they decided to go with something that has potential for a great story. I was worried this would become 'Asylum Version 1.3' (pun intended), and hearing that the chainsaw ending had returned made me a bit more worried about that. But alas, I kept an open mind.
I'm glad they decided not to encourage hands on shoulders. It makes things work a bit better, and suits the idea of 'touring' a movie studio (where you would naturally walk around in groups). I love the opening scene; great nod to the previous 12 attractions and solidifies the idea of Fright Nights being a time when Thorpe Park produces horror films. Plus, I'd love my own copies of all those posters, because they all look awesome.. The actual acting in there was great as well; made you realise the tour was going to be more sinister, adds some story and puts you on edge.
The next scene, the Reception, is a bit of a waste. The surprise of the receptionist appearing works, but then nothing other than a flash of light happens during the time. I just think more could have been done with the space really, but hey, at least it keeps in line with the story.
We then move onto some sort of editing room I guess, which shows just how well themed this attraction is.. Turning round and seeing some fences and boxes, I was beginning to wonder whether the rest of the maze would end up being 'Asylum 1.3', but I was pleasantly surprised. Reached the blood stained dressing room, and the actor particularly enjoyed playing with 'Lucy', the dead doll in front of the mirror. This actor also picked on us all, which was great.
Moved into the actual film set now, and was greeted by some hillbilly family who threatened us, ganged up on everyone and so forth. The next few scenes seemed to just be meandering around some bits which feel lifted from Asylum, whilst seeing the occasional plaque saying which scene we were entering. I didn't mind too much though, as with very little strobes and a different story line for the actors, it didn't feel like Asylum at all. I was at the back, and there were times during this bit I was blocked by actors and left it catch up with the rest of the group.
Eventually, we came across 'Scene 13' (which I think was called the bedroom scene or something?), and I somehow knew this was nearly the end. Couple of actors, plus a blooded doll tied onto a bed. There was lots of screaming and shouting and blame going around the place. Being in the room felt chaotic (indeed, I'd say this scene felt more chaotic than Asylum ever did, somewhat ironically!). We then made it down the final corridor and I enjoy seeing all the posters plastered over the walls, for like two seconds...
I expected there to be the Director at the end of this corridor, revving his chainsaw to make us run out, showing that this was his Studio, and we were at his mercy. But nope, the horror film spilled out into real life, as behind me, I hear the revving of a chainsaw. Turning around, I see some crazed hillbilly laughing manically, running towards us with a chainsaw in hand. Definitely the encouragement I need to get a move on out! Might not be as effective for people nearer the front, but hopefully (due to the free flow nature), this isn't too much a problem. Definitely think it's a good ending, which feels fresh compared to Asylum's one, despite the fact it's a very old and clichéd way to finish.
Great maze overall, and definitely up there as one of my favourites. There's a couple of dead scenes with the theming, but for the most part, it's exquisitely themed. Add a bit more to the Reception scene and I think Thorpe have an absolute winner of a maze on their hands.
8/10
(NB: After reading some reviews from last weekend, it sounded like there were strobes for the majority of the maze on some nights. This wasn't the case on Friday. There was the odd strobe here and there, but for the most part, it was lit in such a way that makes each scene work beautifully).
Saw Alive
Feels weird to be saying that this is the park's oldest maze now. Even weirder to think that it's now in it's 5th operational season.
I don't actually have much to say about this. The maze is consistent and fun. But it needs some story and some fresh ideas. It makes good use of loud noises, smoke and lighting. It has good theming. It has an okay ending. But it needs something to tie this all together. Story, a trick, interactivity, something. Or failing that, just a ton of actors and a full out intense experience. It's a fun maze, but it needs something new to keep up with the rest.
6/10
Blair Witch Project
Last year was a bit of a miss, if we're being honest. Great idea, just poorly executed. The news of a new ambient track, along with the fact that the park decided to keep with this, meant that there was chance to make the idea work.
Simply put, I liked BWP this year. Plenty of actors, and they all kept with the idea of the film. There's loads of suspense. There's really dark points. Places where you feel truly isolated. The actors keep you on edge, and their scares leave you feel nervous. One thing which I liked was one actor creeping up behind me during the safety talking and just whispering in my ear and give me a nudge, before running into the darkness of the maze. That worked so well. It was also great to see loads of actors simply darting between the trees, but not revealing themselves to the front of the group. Clever, keeps people nervous, but also interacts with the whole group. Kudos also to the actor who was shouting 'WHERE'S JOSH!?'. I said 'I'm Josh', before quickly realising that Josh was a character from the film. The actor remained in character well, and shouted at me 'Where's the map!?!' (again, keeping in line with them film, where the character Josh loses the map) before running around and targeting other members of the group.
The finale was fun. Lots of smoke and three actors in the shed. Works well and better than last year. One actor accidentally poked me in the eye whilst trying to scare me. After the entire group had exited the shed, she came out and walked towards me specifically (possibly to check I was alright). After seeing I was smiling and fine, she remained in character brilliantly, made lots of noise and screaming before going back towards the shed..
All in all, good fun. Thorpe really hit the nail on the head with this one and I really enjoyed it.
6.5/10
Couple of other words:
-Didn't see any of the roaming actors. Seemingly just was in the wrong place at the wrong time, which is a shame, as they look pretty cool.
-Disappointed by lack of theming. This is a must to create an overall feel to the place. However, the audio this year was fantastic, so at least there was some sorta Fright Night feel about.
-No actors in queue lines this year? Can't say I'm not disappointed. However, I can understand there could be restraints on this.
Face it Alone
As usual, can't say much on this (especially since I signed a waiver saying I wouldn't, and I fear what The Director would do if I did...). I did Studio 13 this year and it was incredible. Intense, extreme and just incredible. Very different to my experience last year, but I did prefer it this year. Also great that they ensured the experience tied in with the maze itself (which I think happened in all the mazes). Very much recommend it to anyone who likes scare attractions!
Thanks for reading. I'll leave you with a photo of me with the famous Thorpe Park Movie Studios Director...
