| Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer |
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| Written by Joseph B. Mauceri | |
| Monday, 06 October 2008 | |
 Available: October 7th, 2008 (DTV)*Director: Jon Knautz Screenplay: Jon Knautz and John Ainslie Cast: Trevor Matthews, Robert Englund, Rachel Skarsten, James A. Woods, Daniel Kash, and Ashley Bryant. Synopsis: Ever since he watched monsters brutally slaughter his family during a childhood camping trip, local plumber Jack Brooks (Trevor Matthews) has had major anger management issues. But when a busted pipe disturbs an ancient evil, Jack will unwittingly unleash a force that transforms his kindly night school professor Crowley (Robert Englund) into a ravenous, tentacled, infectious beast from Hell. Even if Jack can no longer run from the demons of his past, can he at least hack them to pieces before they devour his entire class? Rachel Skarsten (Birds Of Prey) and James A. Woods co-star. (Provided by studio) Rating: “R” Studio: Anchor Bay Home Entertainment Running Time: 85 minutes Aspect Ratio: Widescreen - 1.78:1 DVD Extras: Audio Commentary with Director Jon Knautz, Producer Patrick White, Producer/Actor Trevor Matthews and Composer Ryan Shore; Featurettes: Behind The Scenes, Creating The Monsters, Creating The Music, World Premiere Sitges, Spain; Eleven Deleted Scenes; Storyboard Comparisons; Conceptual Art Gallery; On-Set Still Gallery; Theatrical trailer. Review: I have to say that other than the “Masters of Horror” series from Anchor Bay Home Entertainment, their contemporary genre film releases are not always memorable. JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER is an above average film from a creative and talented group of young filmmakers that, with well visualized special effects, feels like an edgier and better executed episode of “Goosebumps.” The DVD extras are also a well documented and entertaining exploration of what the filmmakers went through to bring their vision to the screen and a definite bonus for aspiring filmmakers. Overall I enjoyed the plot. However, when you hear the filmmakers talk about their goals and expectations in undertaking a genre film you understand why the film feels like there could have been a bit more “meat on the bone” in terms of Jack’s story and his character development. Also, having grown up around plumbers and electricians in my family, Jack’s truck looked a tad under stocked and his toolbox a bit shy of the variety of tools found in the toolbox of someone in his profession. Again, an aspect contributing to my overall feeling that the film could have been a td richer and flushed out. As I watched the film I kept checking the running time and couldn’t help feel that the film was overly produced, that is to say the filmmakers were conscience of the time and metering out the effects. The majority of the supporting cast was adequate to play Jack’s stereotypical fellow classmates. Actor Trevor Matthews is excellent as Jack Brooks, the central jewel of this cinematic piece, and acting alongside cinema veteran Robert Englund proves he has the talent to take him far in this acting career. Matthews also does a great job with the fight choreography and action sequences. The special effect sequences are over the top and have a more comic book or a radical Saturday Morning cartoon feel to them. There are three nicely designed creatures, and the possessed students have that “Evil Dead” feel. For the most part the blood takes a back seat to bucks of slime. There’s just an overall feel to these designs that imparts that “Goosebumps” feel. The production values were also reminiscent of the look and feel, especially when monsters or creatures were involved, with episodes of the Sam Raimi television series “Hercules,” “Xena,” or “Jack of All Trades.” Other than the edginess of the scene where Jack sees his family killed by a monster, the film has more of a PG-13 or a soft “R” feeling, and I don’t believe the imagery and language here is more shocking than what kids experience in some computer games. JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER is an aspired contemporary monster movie that has a perfect mix of horror violence and gore to be included in your Halloween horror film rotation with adolescents in your household. I really like what these filmmakers have accomplished but it feels a tad restrained. Based on the early buzz on this film I’m sure these guys will be back again soon with another film and I really would like to see what they come up with next. Anchor Bay Entertainment is offering fans a chance to win $2,500! All you have to do is go to www.monsterslayers.com to register and you will be eligible. Fans who enter will also have special access to exclusive clips, cast and crew interviews, and much much more! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DTV = Direct to video release LINK THIS ARTICLE             |
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