Botched

(2007) ***½

Botched takes place in Moscow where a penthouse robbery goes wrong. The 3 thieves accidentally kill a woman in the penthouse. To foul things up even further 3 female religious whackos, 3 business types and a security guard get into the elevator with them fouling up their discreet getaway. Suddenly the elevator stops and the security guards walkie blurts out that a woman has been murdered. Now they proceed to take the elevator patrons hostage and exit onto the floor where they have stopped. They begin hostage negotiations with the authorities and at this point it seems to be flowing along nicely as a crime movie. The story is likable and the main character played by Stephen Dorff fits the part well. Then things take a turn. Now twenty minutes into the film you are abruptly reminded that you are watching a horror flick when the first hostage they decide to release is murdered and it isn't by them.


They realize the police have not been called and they are trapped on the floor with a murderous psycho. I really enjoyed this film for the most part. There is no shartage of bloodshed and the deaths are unique and creative. The only reason it didn't rate 4 stars for me was that they tried to incorporate quirky comedic moments into it. The film would have had such a dark and creepy overtone if not for the random attempts for laughter. Still I would recommend it, the film moves along quite nicely and held my attention throughout. A better than mediocre choice.