| NIGHTMARE ON VALLEY STREET:
The Valley Street Nightmare features a new beginning for 2009 that
visits an irate fiend dripping blood all across Travis County Texas, and
a face to face encounter with Leatherface! This territorial invasion
of one of the most feared and vicious killers of all time results in a
relentless chainsaw attack that chases visitors deep into the Valley
Street trail. Signature bloodstained crosses defile the area
and usher in attacks highlighted by gunshots, spooky cemeteries, and a
multitude of enraged monsters jumping out from behind trees, sweeping past
on overhead zip lines, and swinging across the path on rocking chair-like
bungee lines! Additional sights include cannibalistic ghouls dining
on hearts that are still pumping blood, a near miss from a hit and run
driver, and the return of an enormous
Grim Reaper that springs to
life right before your very eyes! Numerous strobes, and excellent
scary sounds and music join forces to accent the terrifying experience.
A quad chase and more assaulting chainsaws are still to come prior to a
lengthy, maze finish to Nightmare on Valley Street.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 9½, 26 minutes!
ACTORS - 8, A tremendous number of mostly masked characters
with very little dialogue. Initial blood soaked villain, and swinging
and "zip line" ghouls are among the standouts delivering astonishing scares!
Giant Grim Reaper has become a much anticipated trademark at Valley
Street although his role has been somewhat reduced from the days that
found him running on stilts chasing people down the trail.
Loss of '08's doctor claiming the life of his victim before turning
his attention on groups is unfortunate, as is the elimination of repelling
monsters dropping out of the trees. Addition of the heart devouring
ghoul is a plus. More elaborate costuming, dialogue, and prolonged
interractions would elevate this category. Total Characters = 84!
SCARINESS - 8, Multiple chainsaw attacks are relentless!
Clever utilization of motorized vehicles provides legitimate, heart-pounding
scares . Low hanging branches illuminating from the bouncing light
of numerous strobes adds to the trail's mystique, and with few exceptions,
combines with appropriate sound effects, including the high-pitched shrieks
of nearby bats! A few tweaks along the way would raise the rating.
DESIGN - 8, A new beginning, kicks off this 20 plus scene
trail, but an early maze has been eliminated thus shortening the duration.
Zip line scene is too illuminated - the character can be seen up ahead
prior to his encounter. Some areas of the trail are too quiet from a soundtrack
perspective, and the quad chase isn't as intense as in years past.
Changing the unique repelling attack into more of a swinging assault might
be easier on the actors, but lessens its effectiveness, especially since
it was a one of a kind surprise encountered only at Valley St.
PROPS - 7½, Not an abundance of high-tech props.
Dead spots are covered by the 80+ cast members resulting in groups finding
themselves continuously under siege from one direction or another.
VALUE - 8½, No price increase for 2009 costing
only $10 with their website coupon.
RATING: 8, Annually one of the highest scoring
outdoor trails around! The insanity continues for a seventh season
at Nightmare on Valley Street, where you're sure to GET THE YELL
SCARED OUT OF YOU! |
