Synopsis
On their way to a regional competition, a group of cheerleaders have a car accident, and wander into the rural landscape to look for help. They come across an apparently abandoned house. Two escaped convicts also find that house, and take two of the girls hostage, but soon everybody has a bigger problem in the shape of a hulking killer, Andre the Butcher, who has all sorts of supernatural powers as well as plenty of sharp blades.
Any movie that casts Ron Jeremy as a mad slasher has…to have something going for it. The danger, of course, is that that might be ALL it has going for it. But this is actually a hell of a lot of silly fun. This is an inexpensive work by young filmmakers, and the rough edges are definitely there (notably in an occasional uncertainty of tone). But never mind that. Such quibbles are overcome by the number of gruesome belly-laughs to be had here. For every gag that misfires, there’s another that hits the target. As a bloody entry to the horror-comedy genre, this is a hoot, one that demonstrates that it didn’t blow its wad of silly intelligence in that inspired bit of casting.
Audio
For the type of budget we’re dealing with here, the sound could be a lot worse. Could be better, too, but at least it’s clear. There is, for instance, no distortion of the dialogue. The surround elements are limited, but there are a few very nice effects (notably flies buzzing around a bisected body in one of the film’s best running gags). The music in the first part of the film is too rear-heavy, and the death metal needs a lot more bass and volume. In the latter part, the mix seems to have been corrected to some degree.
Video
Here the budget really makes itself felt. The colours are variable. In the dark scenes, they’re pretty good, with nice blacks (though the grain gets a lot worse here), but the daylight exteriors are often a bit washed out. The aspect ratio is not anamorphic (1.85, which is apparently what “4:3 letterbox” means), and the resolution is pretty iffy: pixellation is very noticeable, and a fleeing convict in the opening scene has such a blocky outline he looks as if he’s made out of Lego.
Special Features
The commentary is by director Phillip Cruz, producer James Hyde, lead April Billingsley, and the woman who does all the nude body double work. The result is pretty silly. There is one deleted scene, and though I understand why it was cut (a little too much of a broad wink to the audience), it is also very funny, and I’m glad it’s here. The film’s trailer is joined by those for The Choke and Zodiac. The menu is fully animated and scored.
Closing Thoughts
Sometimes, lowbrow blood-and-guts humour is what you need. If this is your condition, then consider checking this out.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
- Deleted Scene
- Trailers
