Back of Box:
1985. The cast and crew of the horror flick HOT BLOODED are learning first hand what it means to be stalked by a masked
killer. When the director is viciously murdered on set, the production is shut down and the film locked away, incomplete.
But every time the footage is screened, somebody dies...Fourteen years later, a group of enthusiastic film students decide
to finish HOT BLOODED. After shooting commences on the eerie film location, the students start to disappear one by one.
Now, they just have to finish the film before it finishes them.
Plot: You know, the
film within a film thing has been done (Urban Legends: Final Cut comes to mind), but never really in this
context. I mean, it keeps the basic premise, but really pushes the supernatural aspect. I'm not complaining,
mind you, but it all adds up to one hell of a bizarre ending.
Acting: Well...I LOVE
MOLLY RINGWALD (There, I said it)! Kylie Minogue plays a great bitch. The rest is an above average, Australian,
ensemble. Standouts include: Raffy Carruthers (Jessica Napier) and Hester Ryan (Sarah Kants). That, and
I absolutely couldn't stand Lossman (Geoff Revell).
Gore: Body Count (16) Some
people knock this film because "it leaves a lot of the gore off screen." I can see why, but there is still enough carnage
to satisfy. For one, it has one of the best decapitation scenes I've ever seen (The eyes actually move after
the head hits the floor). There's a very random, must see, garden spigot impalement. Oh, and my personal
favorite, the meat cleaver pin-up. Plus, to top it all off, there are various other decapitations and slit throats throughout.
Very nice!
Suspense: There's one chase
scene that always manages to drudge up some suspense for me. I think it's the way it showcases the survival instinct
(Whatever it takes to stay alive). Other than that, sadly, there is nothing to report here.
Directing: I really
liked the connection Rendall made with the actors, it came right through the screen. I wish I could say the
camera work was just as good, but it seemed a little amateurish at times. Rendall always managed to recover,
however, and the abundance of effective shots and focus work make this a pretty decent effort.
Tech: The lighting
works well. It never really stood out, but it worked. The sound was good enough, but when more than one person
talked it got a little muffled. The soundtrack was nice. Not as scary as it should of been, but still eerie.
Other: First off,
I want to comment on the setting. It was beautiful. Filled with creepy corners and lurking woods. A perfect
slasher setting. I also want to say some words about the killer's mask and main weapon. Both originals, the way
it should be. Now, if you remember, up top I said something about a "bizarre ending." Well, truth is, I hate the
ending. It wouldn't have been so bad if certain people had just stayed dead (You know what I mean if you've seen
it), but that's not the case. With that being said, I'm surprised, and a little disappointed, that there is no
sequel yet.
Final Word: This is where I get embarrassed,
but it's not my fault. I'm a product of the late '80s, grew up in the '90s, and am a huge fan of the "teenie-boppers."
Scream, IKWYDLS, Urban Legend...this is no exception. Watch it, it's worth it.
