The Lift (1985)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Excellent but underrated film

Absolutely Brilliant!

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

A state of the art elevator system starts to go haywire and kill people after being struck by lightning...almost like it has a mind of it's own.Meanwhile, an elevator repairman and local journalist have teamed up to figure out what is going on.It seems the elevator company is trying to cover something up.After a little digging, they reveal that the Japanese company responsible for designing the electrical components of the lift system, have developed a bio-chip: a biological computer chip that is known to become endowed with artificial intelligence.Which might explain a lot...if they can manage to stop the conspiracy...before they become it's next victims...This film really plays off the paranoia of the times- a fear of impending doom from the computer apocalypse, sort of thing.And it's not that great. It's pretty slow moving, the special effects are kinda lame, and the kill scenes are pretty anti-climactic.I'm not sure what you can expect though...there are only so many ways an elevator can kill somebody.5.5 out of 10.

Having long been wary of lifts, I was already in the right frame of mind to respond appropriately to this enjoyable and engrossing thriller; and as it progressed - as whenever I enjoy a relatively modern film - I paid it the compliment of hoping the ending was going to be up to the rest of the film so far.None of its components are in themselves particularly original ((I personally was reminded of 'Quatermass 2' and the 'Doctor Who' story 'The Mind of Evil', not to mention several earlier thrillers involving lifts; others will doubtless recognise other sources), but like Maas's later 'Amsterdammed' (1988) it has a witty script (including a terrific sight gag early on involving an ambulance), well-drawn supporting characters and a feisty and resourceful heroine. A thriller rather than a horror film (although it delivers a couple of the required shocks), the occasionally vivid use of colour is also worth mentioning.

I feel that nowadays this film is outdated. Sure, the lift's bell-sound is still cool, and the wide shot of the three lifts in the lobby while the girl is playing with her doll is very exciting. But that's pretty much it.There are so few suspense scenes, and the whole mystery of the lift's background is not interesting enough. The reason why the lift goes haywire in the beginning of the film is actually hilarious, and it wasn't meant to be.If it weren't for lead actors Huub Stapel and Willeke van Ammelrooy, in 2006 this would be an abomination. Still, we need more horror flicks in this country!!!

Although I did not particularly enjoy "Amsterdammned" (a similar sort of film), I gave it another shot because I did not want to believe that - as the Dutch themselves often say - the Dutch cinematography in general is just worthless (however, you DO get "tits, sex and throwing up" in most films ;o) ). I have seen "Antonia" and "Character" and enjoyed them both very much. Moreover, living in the Netherlands I wanted to know what a 'cult' movie that the locals consider "the most thrilling Dutch film ever" (4 out of 5 stars in a renowned TV magazine) looks like. Well, to tell the truth, I was nothing but disappointed. Even if I overlook the shaky idea of an 'evil microchip', the predictable direction and the cheap effects, I just cannot overlook the HORRENDOUS acting of the whole cast. They were all in desperate need of some Strasberg classes... All in all, if you want to get a positive picture of the Dutch cinematography, please do NOT waste time rolling your eyes up during this flop!