The Bunker (2001)

The Bunker is an admirable horror outing that comes close to delivering the shocks, but ends up on the drab side of things when all is said and done. Released almost in tandem with another horrific war feature, Deathwatch, this film is bound to be confused with the latter trench-filled shocker, though, to be fair, The Bunker has its own thing going for it. For one, the interesting premise leaves room for the filmmakers to play with their audience's claustrophobia and fear of the dark, while the cast they've assembled is adept and capable of carrying a mid-low-budget yarn like this. Unfortunately, the story is a little too jumbled for the viewer to truly wrap his or her brain around, with plot points laid out but never revisited or truly explained. It also does not help that the film hinges on a confounding payoff that's so loaded with style and so vague in its meaning that those who have stuck with the movie will have a knee-jerk "What the...?" attitude as soon as the credits roll. In its defense, John Pardue's stark cinematography is a high point, while Jason Flemyng and the rest of the cast sell each moment as best they can. Slightly spooky, but missing the under-the-skin feel that it needs, The Bunker is unique in its setup, but little else. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide