Cruel Intentions 3

Cruel Intentions 3
by Scott Ziehl

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DVD Reviews of Cruel Intentions 3

DVD Review: A pleasant surprise
Summary: 4 Stars

Having seen Cruel Intentions 2 several times and disliking it more and more with each viewing, I really wasn't expecting much out of the third chapter. However, I actually found myself enjoying the twists, turns, and outrageousness it provided.

The basic plot of this film is the same as the previous two, but in a new setting with new characters. Kristina Anapau stars as Cassidy Merteuil, the cousin of Sarah Michelle Gellar's character in the first Cruel Intentions, a wealthy snob attending a private college in Santa Barbara, California. She toys with the men there, especially Jason (Kerr Smith, "Dawson's Creek"), who's been waiting to sleep with her for over a year. The story begins with Jason betting Cassidy that she can't sleep with an unpopular boy with whom Jason shares a room. She accepts the bet, and the plot twists begin. The unpopular boy drops his facade and reveals himself to be much like Cassidy and Jason: seductive, dishonest, and conniving. Soon the three are in league together to conquer whoever tickles their fancy.

The plot itself is much stronger than the second installment, which was basically a rip-off the first (including much of the same dialogue). It contains several twists and interesting characters, though not all could be believed easily. Parts feel rushed, others seem to drag; some plot points could've been reworked a little more to make it flow better.

What surprised me most was the quality of acting. Being that this film was released direct-to-video, I was expecting less than stellar performances. But the leading actors carried their roles very well. Some standout performances came from Kristina Anapau and Kerr Smith, both of whom met the bar raised by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe.

Overall, I think Cruel Intentions 3 is worth renting at the very least. If you're a fan of the franchise, you may want to consider purchasing it. It's a short, entertaining film that may surprise you as it did me.

Description of Cruel Intentions 3