So boring, it could've been good, with better acting, directing, dialogue... I cannot believe I sat through this.

Heading off on a trip together, a group of college friends looking for fun during spring break wind up in an abandoned amusement park where a deranged serial killer is hiding out killing intruders to his home and forces them to find a way to get away alive.This was one of the most surprising slashers around, and really has a lot going for it. One of the best aspects is that this is incredibly creepy and suspenseful due entirely to the beyond- spectacular ride building where this takes place in. Since it's designed as a horror ride, it's supposed to get creepy and scare somebody which this can do that incredibly easily. Not only is the darkness and shadows provide an incredibly chilling location to start with but with all the different attractions and statues laid out there's always some sort of puppet or statue bursting in front of someone, and that these look quite scary before, having them jump out of nowhere in a darkened room leaves a great impression. Add into that a generally twisted and confusing layout and a generous helping of off-screen noises and this goes a long way toward making it creepy and suspenseful. That is given a great work-over when they give the killer's backstory and history with the ride as it goes into the incarceration and everything involved with that in a great lead-up to the fun that occurs with them getting picked off inside which was surprising and enjoyable letting it work into a generally workable slasher routine. Once it goes into the slashing scenes, this one turns even more fun with the demented-look ride puppets and props in complete darkness while having the killer sneak up on the couple engaged in oral stimulation, the rather freaky chase through the corridors of the backstage attractions in a frenzied series of dark lighting effects and the big brawling around the killer's sleeping quarters backstage are great highlights. The final confrontation, taking place in a great setting within the building, is exciting, creepy and pretty action-packed, letting the huge hulking killer get some decent stalking moments in while generating some rather fun suspense with the entire situation playing out in the darkness which also works, making for a great finish. As this is also gorier than expected, these work for the film's favor.There wasn't much at all that doesn't work. One point that falls short is the choice of mask the killer uses since such an imposing figure that if a mask was needed, it should inspire fear which this one doesn't do. The choice of mask is completely inappropriate and derails the film somewhat. The twist at the end doesn't do anything as well, coming off as head-scratching and feels tacked on to give it a few extra minutes. The last flaw is the unrealistic reaction after the prank. This isn't that bad of one, yet the reaction to it is way unbelievable and doesn't seem realistic. These, though, are all the strikes against the film.Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Nudity and sexual situations.

For a slasher movie, "Dark Ride" really is pretty much okay. The setting was great (a carnival's Haunted House, so in that sense "Dark Ride" reminds us a bit of Tobe Hooper's "Funhouse") and some of the killings were quite memorable. But... I expected a bit more twist-juice in the end. You just know very soon what the obvious twist at the end will be, so I was pretty sure the filmmakers would give us something else. Something more. Something unexpected. But sadly, they didn't. I didn't have as much fun with Dark Ride as I did with, for instance, a movie like the "House Of Wax" re-make, but still, it's a fun ride for slasher fans in general.

Okay, maybe a lot of you guys already mentioned this (I haven't read all the comments) but there is a story by Dean Koontz telling something similar. A funhouse, a bunch of young kids and a murderer, a freak of nature... Greaaaat! The story kicks in! I thought... this could be wonderful cinema. Well, it wasn't! I never saw a worse movie than this one (or perhaps if I count in I'll always know what you did last summer, this would come in second place)!! I can't understand why this title was in the After Dark Horrorfest? There were so many other good ones left out... I don't say there were no good parts in it... a loved the story 'bout the twins in the beginning and the sex scene was a big laugh (especially the climax) but that was it. No good acting, no good plot, a good story just turned into a bad movie! I wasn't scared at all... Maybe I ask too much of a movie... I donno...