Chernobyl Diaries (2012) #379

"Chernobyl Diaries" is horror film that was written and produced by Oren Peli, the director and creator of "Paranormal Activity". Once again, Mr. Peli delivers a decent horror movie made with a minimal budget and sparse special effects. It was only a matter of time before someone created a wide released horror flick that took place at or around the old Chernobyl power plant. While the film doesn't take complete advantage with the possibilities presented, what the movie does contain is still fun and entertaining. The characters may not be fully developed or very interesting but I personally enjoyed seeing Ingrid Bolsø Berdal play such a different kind of character than I've previously seen in her other work such as "Frett Vilt" and "Frett Vilt ", and watching the commanding presence of Dimitri Diatchenko as the extreme tour guide who takes the group of friends on their ill fated trip.

"Chernobyl Diaries" is your typical horror flick about a group of friends going someplace that they have no right going to and getting killed off one by one. This time the setting takes place in the abandoned town of Pripyat, which sits in the shadows of the Chernobyl Power Plant. Four American friends, a Norwegian and and an Australian take an "Extreme Tour" led by Uri into Pripyat, having to bypass border patrol guards who would not allow the group to enter the city. Once inside, they explore the city and have a close encounter with a wild bear in an old apartment building. When they return to their van, Uri finds that engine has had it's wires cut and that the group is stuck until morning. Noises are soon heard off in the dark of the night, and Uri becomes the first victim of the inhabitants hiding in the darkness. Soon the group is attacked, mauled, and chased around the town, being killed off one by one.