I guess I expected this to be a carbon copy of Devil, made bigger and brasher, that's not the case, the basic premise is the same, a group of strangers get trapped in a lift, but this time they're threatened by a bomb. We get bigotry, racism, stupidity, jealousy, recriminations, the nine characters each bring a lot to the table.

Production values on the whole are solid, they played safe when making it let's say. The acting too is solid, the main issue is with the characters, none of them are particularly likable, why did everyone let the expectant mother search for the bomb? Shirley Knight a class above.

Hard to define, definitely not a horror like Devil, more a thriller melodrama.. Plenty of tension. The ending is crazy.

My review takes into account that it's a B movie, I'd imagine it didn't have much of a budget, but it's cheap and cheerful, with enough tension to keep you watching. Even after reading the generally negative reviews, I liked it. 7/10

ELEVATOR has a decent set-up: a group of characters are trapped in a stuck lift, and one of them holds a secret that's going to put them into a dangerous situation. It's a clear copy of the recent Shyamalan-produced horror movie DEVIL, except this one's non-supernatural. The box proclaims that it's the film that DEVIL could have been, but that's a downright lie.

Because ELEVATOR is a disappointment. Sure, the set-up is fine and the character mix is okay. You can't really fault the acting, either, even if most of the cast are unrecognisable aside from THE FLY's John Getz playing a typically jerkish character. Everyone puts in solid, if unspectacular performances, and I did like Joey Slotnick as the loud-mouthed comedian despite his character's brash, irritating nature.

The problem with this is the script. It's fair to say that nothing really happens in ELEVATOR, and there's certainly nothing here to make this unmissable viewing. I can think of two good, suspenseful sequences in the entire movie, and the rest of it is just endless build-up leading to a pay-off that never arrives. I actually enjoyed the first half more than the second, purely because of the expectation value. The ending is particularly disappointing and lightweight.

This should have been much better than it is, because Stig Svendsen does a good job of shooting within the claustrophobic confines of his small-scale set and there are all the right ingredients; it's just that they don't amount to much in the end. And the incredibly irritating girl in it should have been killed; it was criminal that she never got punished for her daft actions.

This is another movie that might make a better play. We are given quick 30 second character introductions before everyone crowds together. With the title being "Elevator" it isn't hard to guess where this thing is going and what is going to happen. What makes the story interesting is the characters and details.

The characters consist of a claustrophobic comedian (Joey Slotnick) who insults about everyone. There is Mr. Barrow (John Getz),CEO and multi-millionaire along with his very bratty granddaughter (Rachel and Amanda Pace.) There is a well dressed man from the office, Don (Christopher Backus),his future wife and TV newscaster Maureen (Tehmina Sunny). Celine (Anita Briem) is a pretty blonde who is pregnant. She works in the same office as Don and until recently they worked rather closely...and for some reason he has never mentioned her to his future wife Maureen. Martin (Devin Ratray) is the heavy set man who also works for Mr. Barton. Jane Redding (Shirley Knight) is a disgruntle investor who takes her medication with Irish whiskey. Her husband recently passed away and she represents the 99% ers with an ax to grind. Mohammed (Waleed Zuaiter) is the security guard on the elevator. They are on they way up to a diner/celebration for Mr. Barrow's company. As the elevator gets stuck (c'mon you knew that was coming) Mr. Barrow remarks, "I hate to miss the first course." Movie has class struggle politics, terrorism, and prejudice as multiple themes.

As always we have the personality clashes and heroics. Fairly decent drama/thriller with enough light moments. Not overpowering but well done and well acted.

F-bomb, no sex, no nudity, woman relieving herself on elevator.

What is most unbelievable is the $3 million dollar budget. How much does getting the rights to Muzak cost?