Wolf Creek has had a lot of positive hype surrounding it, which makes it surprising to see it on DVD already. Usually good films will have an extended run at the cinemas before making it to said medium.

So it was with a combination of scepticism and hope that I rented Wolf Creek. A film which on the surface does not have a lot going for it, with an Australian Director that has almost no prior film making history, a cast of unknowns, and belonging to the Horror genre.

Set in Western Australia in 1999, Wolf Creek is a story loosely based on the Peter Falconio case. British backpackers Liz and Kristy are doing the usual backpacker thing - travelling around Australia and partying at any given opportunity.

Along the way they meet Ben, a typical likeable Australian boy. After a tediously slow build up, they decide to go on a road trip to see the giant meteor impact site in the outback of Wolf Creek. Before arriving at the site they encounter some very dislikeable sexist yobos looking to cause trouble.

It is when they decide to leave the site that things start to go awry, beginning with the car not starting. As neither of the protagonists are mechanics they reluctantly conceded to stay the night in the car until morning.

Early into the night they are saved by Mick, a seemingly likeable Aussie larrikin. Mick can fix the car but the parts he needs are back at his camp, which is a derelict discarded mine site.

A few warm drinks and some unsettling campfire stories by Mick later, and they are all settling down to sleep. This nicely sets up the random nature of the nightmare they will soon find themselves in.

Warning! Spoilers start here!

Liz wakes up to find herself bound and gagged in a shed. Out the window she can see Ben's bloodstained sleeping bag and their car engine has been dismantled. Screams can be heard coming from somewhere.

Following the sound of the screams leads Liz to another shed where she can see Kristy tied, bloodied, and being tortured by Mick. The remains of Mick's previous victim can be seen hanging on a wall. Ben's fate is still unknown at this stage but is revealed further into the film.

A clever ploy to distract Mick and Liz is able to free Kristy, and thus begins the survival horror part of the movie.

Spoilers end here!

You could easily draw similarities between Tobe Hooper's classic 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'The Blair Witch Project'. There is certainly a feeling of Blair Witch but don't expect to see any low quality shaky camera work here.

And what could have easily turned out to be just another slasher flick was thankfully so much more. As we have all become desensitised to typical Horror fair, it is refreshing to see a film that can belong to the same genre yet still keep you on the edge of your seat. Thankfully the formula used in less interesting horror films has not been used in Wolf Creek.

Ultimately what sets this movie apart from others in the same genre is that this one is actually quite scary. No doubt director Greg McLean has cemented himself a place in Australian film history for producing a truly enjoyable and frightening piece of Australian cinema.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Official web site:  www.wolfcreekthemovie.com