A sexy bunch of underwater explorers are summoned to Romania's Carpathian Mountains, where scientists have discovered a gigantic cave network containing a lengthy underground river. Cutting-edge breathing gear gets unpacked, camaraderie and budding romances develop, and then everyone becomes trapped in the depths, where monsters start picking off cast members, one by one. Escape depends on Jack, played by the dependably steely-eyed Cole Hauser (PAPARAZZI), who picked up a bad monster bite that may have infected his mind. Super-vixen Charlie (Piper Perabo) stands by him and displays a soothing screen presence as the tomboy rock climber in the crew, while Leana Headey plays the sexy Romanian biologist who fears that Jack is turning into a monster himself.
Fans of B-movie monster movies should find this a nice cave to visit; there's no skimping on action or impressive set design, and each new cavern is weirder and more claustrophobic than the last. Staggeringly tall cliff faces, dark ominous waters, and a great, nerve-wracking orchestral soundtrack all add up to a fun horror adventure in the classic Saturday matinee sense. Of course, like all good monster movies, it borrows liberally from past classics: think of it as ANACONDA meets ALIEN by way of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, and if that doesn't sound like a fine way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon, make sure you tread carefully as you exit THE CAVE!
