Film: 4Bia (Review)

What happens when you gather 4 masters of horror and allow them to fly solo with freedom to showcase their own rendition of a ghost story? You simply get struck by 4Bia (Phobia). Featuring 4 mini episodes in a full-length film "4Bia", each director gets his own space to tell a tale attempting to strike fear in our hearts. Oh, did I forget to mention that these are the very directors who delivered "Shutter", "Alone" and "Body#19"? Think again if you think this project's all about a bunch of amateurs who are unable to produce a full-length movie and thus adapting collaboration.

A film with 4 episodes of horror keeps the audience on the edge and interested throughout the film as there's more plots and surprises to behold. 4 tales mean 4 different plots, 4 different versions of ghosts & creatures and 4 different forms of horror. It feels like an amusement park ride, ever getting ready for the next thrill and surprise. Especially after the end of every tale, thus ensuring that the audience will be constantly fed with fresh doze of horror each differing from the one before. You don't just get to see a long haired pale lady in white pyjamas harassing dumbstruck victims by making prank calls before visiting a week after via TV sets throughout a whole film, like "The Ring".

I shall leave the plots as a mystery for now as they will serve as spoilers, after all unknowing is the true cause of fear. If you know what the next tale is about prior, it spoils all the fun. Speaking of fun, one of the tales is actually more fun than horror! (But I won't say which!) Be sure to catch it in the theatres to let your senses go for an overhaul with the eerie and creepy cinematic effects. Don't be a pussy and wait for the DVD to cower at home and enjoy it. Be brave!

Oh, try to watch this during non-peak periods so that you can have an empty theatre to add on to the fear factor.

Kacang Puteh, anyone?

Managing Editor,

MuHu Son