★ 4 / 10
_**Slasher parody with good plot & technical work
Wuchak
_**Slasher parody with good plot & technical work, but too raunchy and not funny enough**_ Tired of partying on Bourbon Street, a guy and his buddy (Joel David…
_**Slasher parody with good plot & technical work, but too raunchy and not funny enough**_
Tired of partying on Bourbon Street, a guy and his buddy (Joel David Moore and Deon Richmond) decide to take a night sightsee with other tourists at the alligator-infested bog, unaware of the dubious nature of the tour and the legend of a notorious hatchet man lurking the woods.
"Hatchet" (2006) is a horror/comedy/spoof that combines the indoor swamp sets of “Man-Thing” (2005) with elements of the “Wrong Turn” or “Friday the 13th” franchises and the parody tone of “Club Dread” (2004). Regrettably, it’s the least of these. There’s nothing wrong with the cast or technical filmmaking as the gore, F/X and swamp sets are fine, although the ‘monster’ make-up looks kinda cartoonish (which fits the genre).
While it’s relatively amusing and occasionally funny, it’s hindered by an odious raunchy air right out of the gate. For instance, the two supposedly hot girls flash their breasts every 5 minutes in the first half hour. Don’t take that as prudish, I’m just pointing out that a movie is questionable when it goes overboard with female nudity to hide its deficiencies. Meanwhile the heroine played by Amara Zaragoza is interesting, but she has little sex appeal, although that’s a matter of taste.
I could handle those flaws if the story was more compelling and the humor more amusing, yet that’s not the case. Although the plot is great, the script needed a rewrite to flesh out better prospects. But that takes time & money and the flick only cost 1.5 million, which is almost six times LESS than what “Club Dread” cost.
I should add that Kane Hodder plays the Jason-like antagonist while Robert Englund has a cameo in the opening.
The film runs 1 hour, 24 minutes, with a longer version running an additional 9 minutes. It was shot in New Orleans (Mardi Gras sequences) with the swamp scenes done in a convincing indoor set at Sable Ranch, Santa Clarita, California.
GRADE: C-/D+
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★ 7 / 10
A tad hyped, but Hatchet is a decent and fun addition to the slasher sub-genre
LoneWolfAndCub
Ben (Joel David Moore) is recovering from a separation after eight years. To take his mind off of it, he decides to go on a night ghost-tour of New Orleans…
Ben (Joel David Moore) is recovering from a separation after eight years. To take his mind off of it, he decides to go on a night ghost-tour of New Orleans swamp with his friend Marcus (Deon Richmond). Tagging along for the ride are: the mysterious Marybeth (Tamara Feldman), lesbians Misty (Mercedes McNab) and Jenna (Joleigh Fioreavanti), sleaze-bag Shapiro (Joel Murray) and an old couple (Richard Riehle and Patrika Darbo). Not to forget their shifty tour guide, Shawn (Parry Chen). Once they set off in the boat (after a crazy old man warns them of the danger awaiting them), they soon enough crash and are stranded in the middle of the swamp. Moreover, they are being stalked and brutally dispatched by Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder, of Jason Voorhees fame), a huge and disfigured man out for revenge.By now, I am sure you have realised the amount of clichéd stereotypes are present in Adam Green's Hatchet. This is a throwback to the late 70's and 80's slashers that are now very famous (films like Friday the 13th, Halloween, The Burning, Sleepaway Camp and The Prowler). Hype surrounded this film for quite some time before it was released, Hatchet was being heralded as the one of the best horror movies of this decade and a genre defining work. Unfortunately, these claims are quite inaccurate. Although Hatchet is an entertaining movie, it adds nothing to the slasher sub-genre and it is not all original.Nonetheless, amongst all the dire remakes, shoddy Saw movies and bland sequels, Green has created a damn good horror/comedy with bucket loads of extreme gore. Every single actor does an amazing job, yes, I am being dead serious. Joe Moore, Mercedes McNab and Deon Richmond are excellent at delivering comedic lines totally with total believability. That is not to say the rest were bad, they all played their parts naturally. Horror aficionados will appreciate a few cameos from genre favourites, Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Tony Todd (Candyman) all make brief, but entertaining, appearances. Also, John Carl Buechler (director of the underrated Friday the 13th Part VII) and Joshua Leonard (The Blair Witch Project) assist in aiding the campy atmosphere.On Buechler, his special effects are insane! Seriously, this is one of the bloodiest, goriest and most visceral horror film I have seen released in a LONG time! The sheer amount of brutality shown on-screen is enough to make hardened gorehounds drool in delight. Every death is long, drawn out and features a whole of lot of blood spray! Decapitations, detached limbs, electric sanders, impalements and hatchets are a few of the many ways in which the unlucky group meet their demise. Kudos must also go to the makeup on Victor Crowley, he is definitely a horror villain to look out for. Kane Hodder plays Crowley with his usual ferocity and relish.Alongside the gore, Green knows how to keep a movie going at a steady pace. Hatchet never gets boring, it is constantly moving and because of this, is made much more exciting. The story plays out nicely, nothing new; however, Crowley's past is summed up quickly (and smart enough) and no part is ever dragged out. The only time when the script slips up is in the very final scene, which is a total letdown and really ruins what the movie had going for it.Hatchet is really a love it or hate it movie. Personally, I think it is very good and a nostalgic reminder of the good old days of the slasher. With gratuitous violence, nudity and plenty of camp, Green has asserted himself as someone to look out for with Hatchet.7/10
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