What happens when you put several good-looking people, relationship trouble and a very pissed off alien in a massive self-storage facility? Hearts are torn out (literally and figuratively), people go into way too many closets and perfectly acceptable B-movie mayhem ensues. Storage 24 was made for science fiction fans who want something between Syfy’s shlock and Alien’s pedigree. This British import exists somewhere in the middle and will not annoy legions of late night horror fans who appreciate good-looking head stomps.
I admire Storage 24 because it attempted to create three-dimensional characters but gave in at the 20 minute mark and proceeded straight to carnage town. The relationship foibles in the beginning prove more nauseating than the following blood sprays. Heads are smooshed, guts are spilled and a storage unit hermit compares the alien to his ex-wife (then gets head smooshed). Also, I’m pretty sure a twenty-foot alien is thwarted by fireworks and a screwdriver. It also features the greatest excuse for not having a cell phone.
Guy 1: Call the cops.
Guy 2: I threw my cell phone into a river.
Guy 1: Why?
Guy 2: That is what happens when somebody breaks up with you over the phone.
You could harp about the faults all day (stock characters, recycled plot, skinniest lead actress ever, loud noises). However, I recommend you simply enjoy the carnage and appreciate the original offering. Storage 24 is a nice late night horror film that you and your friends can enjoy when you don’t want the pain of V/H/S or banality The House at the End of the Street . There are enough cheeky moments( alien is scared of toy dog) to appease the masses and not enough gore to turn people off.
Sidenote: A face is slashed off but in more of a “look at this cool makeup we did on a budget” as opposed to gore porn face rips.
I appreciate this film because it knows it’s limitations. It uses the storage facility to maximum effect and the alien is pretty nifty. I watched the film (Netflix) on a day off while I was catching up on writing and it was over before I knew it. I like seeing competence on a budget and this movie accomplishes that.
