Amsterdamned Reviews

This Dutch blend of horror film and policier doesn't always work but still manages to offer an interesting excursion for the cult movie set. The script for Amsterdamned has an intriguingly unusual premise (the idea of a serial-killing diver is truly unique) and it has a quirky sense of humor that suits its offbeat storyline nicely. Unfortunately, the story is allowed to unfold in a manner that is too leisurely, resulting in a film that lacks the suspense and momentum it should have had. The finale also lacks the kind of visceral, thrilling punch this kind of film needs to really rise above the pack. Dick Maas' direction is solid, making great use of the atmospheric Amsterdam canal settings and handling the suspense and action elements in a confident style (the highlight is an ambitious boat-chase sequence). Huub Stapel makes for a believably cool lead as the detective hero and Monique Van De Ven makes a suitably alluring and sympathetic love interest for him. The end result is not bad, it just could have used a bit more discipline in the writing and editing phases. Amsterdamned is thus an interesting curio for fans of cultish, European fare but is probably a bit too laid-back for a genre that demands tension.