Storage 24 review

• 24th Oct 2012

Noel Clarke is fast becoming the busiest and most active working in the UK film industry. His directorial output is growing in vast numbers, but as is his acting work. And it’s an acting role he takes on here and for a change he’s having a crack at sci-fi horror.

Charlie (Clarke) has been dumped by who he thought was the love of his life. Whilst having a good mope about her he drags his friend to the storage facility where some of his stuff is being horded only to find said ex there with her own friends. The drama between the two kicks off, but they are interrupted by the fact that the storage facility has an alien lurking about – offing the staff one at a time. It’s then your usual case of run, and eventually fight, for survival.

The low budget is accommodated by the interior of the facility which helps give the film a look and a bit of production design value. The creature design isn’t too bad either, although some of the SFX are a bit naff from time to time.

The trouble with some UK horror films these days though is that they tend to be full of some truly atrocious acting and also there is always really terrible telegraphing. Whether it’s something that will lead to an action, or a reveal about a character, Storage 24 isn’t confident enough to let the audience do any work. Lines are thrown loudly out the mouth, actions are loaded with heavy vocal projection and often faces that are acting far too hard to get across any message or emotion without it looking amateurish.

Clarke is probably the one that fares best, but with such a laid back voice like his it isn’t hard for him to try. Storage 24 is mildly diverting at best.

Steven Hurst