| SCREAMERS: Scary
music welcomes you into the old farmhouse that is the Screamers Haunted
House. The demented family that calls this place home has something
quite
unusual in store for all who dare to visit. Remnants of dismembered
bodies
let you know right away that this isn't your typical home sweet home.
Planked boards line many of the walls, as you make your way through the
17 exquisitely detailed rooms. Perfectly positioned voices unnerve
you, echoing warnings that you're being watched every step of the way.
An antique radio, and a spooky, old piano is
your cue that Grandma lurks somewhere nearby. A mysterious girl,
clad in white grabs your attention at the end of a hallway. She appears
to have no legs, and offers up a surprise as you pass her by. Continuing
on through a mysterious bedroom, where innocent looking furniture, suitcases,
and other decor soon reveal themselves to be not so innocent after all.
A blood curdling bathroom, and a hallway featuring the "Faces of Death"
also have evil intentions as you continue to progress from one room to
another. "Flesh-eaters," the vicious brothers,
wolves,
and many others are encountered along the way.
A huge, muscular fiend clutches his next victim, as she desperately attempts
to free herself from his grasp. More surprises await as you stoop down
to enter a doll house that yields to a clown room. Skeleton lined
walls appear to close in around you, an effect created by strobe lights
located in just the right place. A short maze-like area, composed
of white sheets disrupts your path, and offers up some unexpected happenings
of its own. Imprisoned hostages bang loudly on their iron bars, and
cry for help as they futiley attempt to escape their incarceration.
Outside the farmhouse lies an eerie cemetery where a ghoul driven, horse
drawn coach delivers yet another soon to be
buried coffin. This is where Grandpa secretly disposes of the bones
- all the evidence the flesh-eaters have left behind to remember those
unfortunate souls that preceded you through the Screamers Haunted
House.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½ , 12 - 15 min.
ACTORS - 8, All are well hidden, and props do a wonderful
job creating plenty of diversions, which enables the actors to deliver
their scares at just the right time. Quite a few kids, but not all
that noticeable due to their costumes, positioning, and utilization (like
crying for help as a larger character grabs them and whisks them away).
Lots of make-up is a plus. Would like to see a few more, and additional
interacting dialogue.
SCARINESS - 8½, Great soundtrack, plenty of unnerving
surprises, and a really creepy atmosphere. Implementing their planned
improvements should easily elevate this catagory to a 9 .
DESIGN - 8½, Open ceilings are a bit of a detraction,
and just a little short, but the rooms are well decorated, masterfully
deceptive, and almost everything is custom made. The lack of a highly
climactic ending leaves you wanting more.
PROPS - 8, Will definitely deserve more in time, as minor
detailing was still in progress. Uniqueness abounds. Plans
for additional pneumatics will also be beneficial in future visits.
VALUE - 8½, Only $8 in September. Regular
admission $10 with readily available coupons at the door, or on their website.
Additional length, actors, and continued development will raise the score.
RATING: 8, Plenty of traditional
scares delivered in a well constructed environment. Lots of hard
work, and hand crafted talent on display here. Only in their second
year at the current location, we're expecting much more in years to come
as Screamers continues to grow. Pay them a visit for
a frightfully good time! |
