Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer

Author: 
Nick Pannu

A monster flick with gore? Yes, and CJSF volunteer, Nick Pannu, was there to see it with his own eyes...

Perpetual guts, gore and decapitations can easily jade the contemporary horror fan. Usually raising the bar with… well… with more mutilations, blood spurts screams can succeed in maintaining the niche horror film groupies/enthusiasts. Director, Jon Knautz ventures outside the realm and doses his film with a mix of comedy, crafted special effects and a storyline. 

  Relative newcomer- in a starring role- Trevor Mathews stars as Robert. As small boy he witnessed the murder of his parents at the hands of some werewolf-like mutant monster while out camping. Robert is scared up into his 20s and never gets over the guilt of running away when his parents were being mauled. This guilt has manifested into serious anger management issues...until he is given the chance to confront his past demons by slaying monsters! 

  The script is brilliantly crafted by John Ainslie. Ainslie cohesively strings together graphic horror scenes with comedy and suspense. Unexpectedly Robert’s night class teacher turns into a monster and attacks the class. Just an average Joe, a plumber by trade, Robert steps forward and rises to the occasion. Pivotal characters in the film, which include the slapstick monsters, enhances the plot. 

  The script perhaps wouldn’t have taken life if it were not for characters such as the eccentric professor played by Robert Englund. Seen without his Freddy Gruger makeup, Englands is successful is illustrating the dynamics of his acting repertoire. Animation and special effects were given as a prelude to the rest of the film early on in the opening scene. Combining all the different elements of the film director, Jon Knautz shall face no challenge in engaging moviegoers even beyond… to an anticipated sequel.

 

  • Posted on: 11 March 2016
  • By: Administrator