In 1924, author/journalist Richard Connell published a short story titled, “The Most Dangerous Game.” The Premise involves a Hunter who’s washed ashore in an island inhabited by a man who likes to hunt down his captivates. Eight Years Later, the short story was adapted into a film.
Released in 1932, (same year the original Mummy came out) the film earned positive reviews from critics and made enough money at the box office. First time I’ve heard of “The Most Dangerous Game” was from an article of the film posted by bloggedbyeric.com who’s also one of my friends. I thought about giving it a try upon learning it’s also in The Criterion Collection as spine number 46. Eric if you’re reading this, special shout out to you.
By the way, “The Simpsons” spoofed The Most Dangerous Game in a segment from “Treehouse of Horror XVI” under the title “Survival of the Fattest.”
I don’t care if SPOILERS are listed. I don’t think it’s great.
Alive & Dead
Alive: Actors all did a fair job for their respective performances.
Cinematography was shot without any mishaps.
Count Zaroff’s facial hair reminds me of Doctor Strange. The latter wasn’t around back in the 30s. Strange eventually made his first appearance in “Strange Tales” number 110.
Dead: Merian C. Cooper (original King Kong) produced the film. He didn’t double check the script for rewrites.
Merian’s business partner Ernest B. Schoedsack did a poor job not asking the writers for improving the script.
Rainsford refers to an animal as a “queer beast.” His words not mine. Back then, the word means strange. Nowadays it’s an insult as in this line from “Sling Blade.” Not funny ha ha funny…. (can’t say it) As a modern movie goer, I couldn’t take it seriously. I’m not a homophobic a-hole. I respect the LGBT crowd.
I never felt a sense of dread. Not a single gasp. My reaction? Whatever! On to the next scene! I’d rather play the “Dead Space” remake on PS5. It’s way way scarier.
A fight scene between Zaroff, his henchman & Rainsford is laughably bad. Bruce Lee VS. Chuck Norris is a billion times better than this piece of turd.
The running time is 61 minutes. That’s not enough to qualify as a full-length film. Technically the length of any episode in a television drama. Animated films qualify if they made to the 70-90 minute duration. A Live-Action film needs to earn 90 minutes or more.
For a 61 minute film, it takes forever getting into the actual game. I waited 40 minutes. The worst offender of them all? I didn’t care about the characters. They’re absolutely forgettable except Zaroff. I have no choice but to Double Down this con for making me feel miserably bored throughout the entire hour.
The Final Verdict: F, FOR FAKER!
The Most Dangerous Game failed to hit the bullseye. I must be the only one who didn’t enjoy it. If I were you, skip this blunder and watch Squid Games’ first season on Netflix. It has a better story, memorable characters, shocking twists, deadly games and nine episodes worth your spare time. Sorry folks, I have to give old movies tough love if they hold up or not. Another alternate solution to get your scare on, play the Dead Space remake.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 
A lot of older horror movies spend more time on build up, not the actual horror itself. Typically I think this was done not for filler but to induce anxiety among the audience.
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