The Jump Scare: Valid Cinematic Device or Hack Bit? - Page 2

Yeah, that's a story waiting to be told.

Yeah, that's a story waiting to be told.

I'm all in favour of jump scares as long as the director is not under the impression they are all one needs to make a film frightening.

That said, The Grudge ie probably too fond of them.

I'm all in favour of jump scares as long as the director is not under the impression they are all one needs to make a film frightening.

That said, The Grudge ie probably too fond of them.

Yep.

Yep.

Typically, I think, you can tell if its going to be a crappy horror/suspense movie if the first scare is a 'jump scare'...a good director making a solid flick will hold off until much later (as in Jaws, Seven, etc.). But when you get to a jump within the first 10 minutes, its normally a bad sign*.

*What about an example like, say, the auto accident @ the beginning of the Descent? Would the sudden impact qualify?

Typically, I think, you can tell if its going to be a crappy horror/suspense movie if the first scare is a 'jump scare'...a good director making a solid flick will hold off until much later (as in Jaws, Seven, etc.). But when you get to a jump within the first 10 minutes, its normally a bad sign*.

*What about an example like, say, the auto accident @ the beginning of the Descent? Would the sudden impact qualify?

same here. it was perfect when I saw it, because not many had heard about "That bit in Exorcist III" so it was completely unspoiled. everyone jumped out of their skin. men, women, and ushers shrieked. a great movie theater experience.

love a good jump scare when it's performed by a confident director. the art is in THE LULL.

same here. it was perfect when I saw it, because not many had heard about "That bit in Exorcist III" so it was completely unspoiled. everyone jumped out of their skin. men, women, and ushers shrieked. a great movie theater experience.

love a good jump scare when it's performed by a confident director. the art is in THE LULL.

and just by the by, the "Sloth" and "Shears" jump scares both have roots in other films (Dead and Buried, and Friedkin's Rampage, respectively)

and just by the by, the "Sloth" and "Shears" jump scares both have roots in other films (Dead and Buried, and Friedkin's Rampage, respectively)

I'd say The Descent has plenty of jump scares that actually move the thing along. Without that initial jolt of the car accident, the feeling of dread over the first half hour of the movie would probably turn into a somewhat dull first act. Plus they hit you with it several more times as the creatures start showing up in the cave.

The Descent is also an example of a movie that doesn't simply rely on one method for scaring the audience. It has great claustrophobic atmosphere, monsters, weird dream imagery, traditional (but plot-related) jump scares, gore, suspense and unsettling cave stuff that has nothing to do with the horror aspects. For movies like this, the jump scare is just another spice in their Lazy Susan...of TERROR.

I'd say The Descent has plenty of jump scares that actually move the thing along. Without that initial jolt of the car accident, the feeling of dread over the first half hour of the movie would probably turn into a somewhat dull first act. Plus they hit you with it several more times as the creatures start showing up in the cave.

The Descent is also an example of a movie that doesn't simply rely on one method for scaring the audience. It has great claustrophobic atmosphere, monsters, weird dream imagery, traditional (but plot-related) jump scares, gore, suspense and unsettling cave stuff that has nothing to do with the horror aspects. For movies like this, the jump scare is just another spice in their Lazy Susan...of TERROR.

Yeah, I was more wondering if that would qualify as a jump scare because it was just an unexpected event.

But, yeah, this movie scares the crap out of me (even after repeat viewings)in a way that only a handfu do.

If the jump scare is used as the punchline in a well orchestrated, tension-building sequence, it's a valid cinematic device.

If it's a quick cut to a squirrel or a jumpy cut, accompanied by a loud, sudden noise, it's the hackiest of conventions. They could just as well hire the usher to come up to your seat and scream in your ear every five minutes or so.

I absolutely love the "red-shirt" girl's reaction in this. LOVE. IT... Sasquatch, you are my hero.


And the Descent fires on all horror cylinders. Eerie AND terrorizing...

My mom is the biggest "jumper" ever, while watching a horror flick. My brother and I have tormented her exceedingly during viewings. Grabbing her arm, pushing her chair back, calling her cell phone (during the Ring remake) all at tense moments. She jumps up atleast a foot in the air. I'm amazed she still insists on going, knowing how much we abuse her. Even if there's no jump-scares in the flick, we add our own. God, we're dicks.

I remember a particular jump scare or 2 from the original Res Evil game that had me leaping (I was a big pussy in college). Trying to unknowingly go back out the mansion's front door (dog lunges at you) and when the zombie dogs come bursting through the windows. Run, muthaf**ker! Run!

This brings up a valid question though: are jump scares more viable in a video game where your senses may be heightened due to the concentration/interactivity? Sure, you interact/empathize/immerse with a film, but there really isn't any danger (consequence). If you aren't terrified by the survival horror game you're playing, there's atleast the fear of losing a "life" and starting back at the last checkpoint (of course, in a video game, part of the point/skill is enemy anticipation). Food for thought... You might argue that it's more challenging to scare someone with a video game than a film, because while viewing a horror flick, you're passively lulled and possibly less alert (a good target for the jump-scare). I dunno.

I'm finished rambling for now.

The Ring was successful for the lack of jump scare. The whole opening scene had quite a few opportunities that could have been jump scares, and the fact that nothing happens continues to amp up the tension.

I agree...and disagree. I think the shots of those melted faces (or whatever the hell they were) were always pretty jump-y.

But the Ring is still the only modern non-R horror movie that really packs a punch, to my mind...

I'd never seen this before, and... HOLY SHIT. Just about had a stroke. The biggest jump scare I can ever recall "enjoying". Even on multiple viewings it has the same creepy effect, because even if it doesn't make you jump, the basic image and idea are fucking terrifying enough.

You can keep your monsters and your aliens, but give me "weird guy in white sheet" for my scare fix.

I know what you mean...we checked the box a couple times--during and right after watching it.

That's exactly why it bugs me so much when fanboys go off on their "It better be rated R, PG-13 sucks" rants. A rating has not one thing to do with quality, even in a horror film. Gore isn't what's scary.

BOO!



Gotcha, didn't I?

No?

Shit.

His annual Reading Rainbow Christmas card.


But you don't have to take my word for it...

I would have to agree with you to an extent, Greg. There was definitely a time, tho, when gore/nudity weren't the only factors--intensity played a role, too.

But, yeah, a lot of my favorite horror films (and some of the ones that can scare me the most) are rated PG or PG-13 (Jaws, Poltergeist, the Ring).