Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Movie review: 31

 
 Halloween night five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in a strange hell-like industrial compound. Forced to play a game of 31, the goal of which is to survive 12 hours,  the five must battle a strange group of sadistic clowns.

Sheri Zombie (Charly), Jeff Phillips (Roscoe), Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Panda), Meg Foster (Venus), Kevin Jackson (Levon), Malcolm McDowell (Father Murder), Richard Brake (Doom-Head), Torsten Voges (Death-Head).

31 begins with some background and introductions before quickly moving to the main story which looks a lot like Thunderdome meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The five carnies are pitted against some crazy homicidal clowns and must survive for 12 hours to win the game. At that point the remainder of the film is simply blood, gore, and violence. But it is done well, moves along at a nice pace, and strangely keeps the audience engaged. There isn't much depth to this one, but it is entertaining from a pure horror perspective.

Acting was okay with Zombie actually delivering pretty well. Phillips, Foster, and Jackson were enjoyable, as was McDowell who did very well as always. Brake was perfect in his role and added a bit of depth. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were creative and well done throughout. Action scenes with plenty of gore and violence were appropriately disturbing. Dialogue was okay but could have added some more depth and maybe a laugh or two. Sound and soundtrack were good with a nice selection of tracks.

Not being a big Rob Zombie movie fan, it helped to approach this one as nothing more than mindless horror, which is about all that exists in this film. And from that perspective, the film was enjoyable and entertaining. Those who enjoy intense horror should enjoy this one.

With some nudity, sexuality, intense violence and gore, foul language and disturbing images, save this one for the oldest teens and above unless you feel like staying up and calming your kids every night for the next week.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 1.4.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

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