September 18, 2008
|
You've obviously never been to Minnesota.Would-be no-budget filmmakers take note: Alvin Ecarma's irreverent 2001 action masterpiece Lethal Force is a fine example of how scripting, casting, and a sense of humor can outshine your financially impaired budget. Unlike other comparable films that simply mock and ridicule the material which inspired them, this thoroughly entertaining opus appears to have been perpetrated by a handful of talented individuals who clearly adore every aspect of the genre. What passes for a plot -- a gangster is forced to sell out his best friend in order to rescue his family -- is essentially the discarded fragments from several aborted PM Entertainment productions, rearranged and reassembled by a demented cinematic fiend with an appetite for bloody violence and bone dry humor. Of course, this paper thin storyline is secondary to a bevy of highly comical fight sequences and several enjoyably wonky shoot-outs. For added flavor, Ecarma also dishes out a few cheesy John Woo moments complete with cool shades, flaming currency, and melodramatic orchestration -- you'll know them when you see them. Despite the low production values and the various technical issues sprinkled throughout, Lethal Force still manages to fill your cult-hungry hippo with an assortment of cinematic pebbles. Open up and take it like a man.
Recipe For Success: One Light-Hearted Oddball Script + A Dedicated Cast + You Better Deliver That Sequel, Guys
Don't Press Your Luck: Give a frightened kid a loaded gun and see what happens.
Splitting headaches are no fun.
2 Spasms:
It really is an enjoyable flick, and "You've obviously never been to Minnesota." was my favorite line.
The action director/cinematographer Eric Thornett (who is also the silent bowtie kung fu fighter) has directed a couple of his own low-budget films. I haven't seen any of them yet, but I plan to at some point.
Thornett's stuff is good, too; I particularly recommend Shockheaded, which got national distribution through Heretic Films last year.
Post a Comment