From the looks of it, the film “From the Ashes: The Pit” looks decent. And that is how the film remains throughout the whole course of its run time. We are taken to a school that has been stuck in a big storm. This backdrop is enough to give us a feeling of palpitation. At the center of the plot are three students: Masheal, Mona, and Maria, who accidentally get stuck in an underground pit during this heavy storm. What makes their survival even more dangerous is the fact that these three aren’t really the ones who gel well with each other. And if they have to survive, they must stick together, resolve their differences, and find a way to escape. There is water that is gushing in, and time is running out. Will these students survive?
When you see the film, many themes are picked up in the show. For example, survival in extreme moments. It shows us how, at one point, survival in a natural calamity becomes the need of the hour and arduous. There are repercussions of the storm, and the makers made sure we see that in order to see how much trouble the three characters are in.
Additionally, the film sheds light on how some institutions lack basic safety protocols and amenities, which can lead to such catastrophic incidents. All these themes force you to put on your thinking caps and think twice about the powerful themes chosen to display some tricky aspects in which humans can land.
The film falters in its pacing. This makes it deliver parts that aren’t as interesting as they ought to be. At one point, it feels that there is too much drama and the film won't ever. Perhaps had the makers focused on pacing, the film would have become an even better watch. Plus, there is a lot of melodrama. There is a fine line between displaying panic and making it look like a melodrama. In “From the Ashes: The Pit,” that line is buried, and sadly, it comes down heavily as melodrama. This can make certain scenes feel dull and annoying simultaneously. All these were similar to what I found in the first installment of the film, “From the Ashes” as well. Somewhere, the film also reminds you of “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” due to similar themes of water level rising and trying hard to escape.
Even character development is lacking heavily. For example, I was hoping to see more of the three characters develop, but sadly, we aren’t shown much of that. There should have been a plot where there is more to their being friends who are surviving a storm together. A little more on them would have made the film even better. Acting is top-notch because, yes, even I felt worried once I saw what was happening in the film. And when you can feel the tension in you when you look at the characters, know that the cast has done a great job in conveying their desired emotions to you.
So even with its faults, I would still recommend watching the movie. It gives you the thrill of watching it and makes you want to know more. Many social themes haven’t been touched upon before in quite a while. That acts as a breather to watch something new. Even the faults are the ones that can be ignored because the plot is too good not to be watched. For those of you who like this kind of genre, “From the Ashes: The Pit”, the film is not bad.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times