The Rage (2007)

Firstly, this is a really good film for the genre. It's hard to believe it was made in 2007 because it harks back to those cheesy over the top violent zombie/slasher films of the 80s and early 90s. Like Return of the Living Dead.It's really disgustingly violent from frame number one.And the best part is about a quarter into the film, it takes a left turn when the main monster dies and herein we have a great twist.The pace is fast and your attention will be kept. The director knows how to keep the energy tense and the action flowing. You'll be on the edge of your seat for the duration.

Last weekend I was at the weekend of horror convention in Germany were I saw again a copy of The Rage, signed. So it was time to watch this flick with Wishmaster Andrew Divoff. It starts of pretty well, with a lot of gore and creepy moments. For me it was the best part, when the guy disappears with the rage in his veins the movie becomes something else, it becomes one of those campy movies with the use of CGI and stop/motion. A bit too much, especially the birds, it's a bit too long of them. One time a big laugh appeared on my face, when Uncle Ben goes fishing with his children one of the kids get bored with fishing and says, i would like to go play with my Xbox, would like to play my new game, the funny part is when uncle Ben says, what about the game I bought for you, phantasm and guess what, uncle Ben is Reggie Bannister. I thought that Andrew gives a great performance but the flick isn't scary at all, that's because the killers are the birds. I also saw here that a lot of people found that the girls never were sexy, that's a fact, they always are dressed never in their nudies or underwear. Not that that is necessary but in a campy one it should have contain some more nudity. Even when Erin Brown is in it, she never get's undressed. Why her you ask, she is also known as Misty Mundae, do I need to say more...So to conclude, the movie delivers a lot of gore and blood but never is scary at all, but it never has a dull moment., It's one to watch with your friends and have a good time.

I really love the first Wishmaster movie. I even think that the second one is really good too. Both are with Andrew Divoff, who I had the pleasure of meeting personally at a convention. But more about that on a forthcoming Wishmaster review. Andrew Divoff plays a Russian scientist, that's all I'm going to say (which doesn't spoil anything), but never fully develops any of his previous screen charisma (apparent especially in the Wishmaster movies, but also in smaller roles (see Brisco County Jr. and others).Robert Kurtzman, who also directed the first Wishmaster movie, and was part of the famous KNB-FX Group (K being his initial of course), alone was a guarantee that the movie would be good ... well at least that's what I thought ... boy was I wrong! Relying on CGI rather than on "hands-on" Special FX, which Kurtzman could've done himself (and pretty good) was one of the baddest decision he could make ... saying it looks fake, would be a disgrace to the word "fake".The acting? Apart from the aforementioned Divoff, there's only Reggie Bannister who could work as a saving Grace. But the Phantasm star, doesn't have a chance to do so ... But then again, it's not the most original script they're working with, so I don't know, if you really can blame any of the actors (well maybe some of them at least). Of course, a movie like this does not rely on acting and or a fancy story. But as the CGI doesn't work, but against the movie, the sparse real effects, cannot elevate this experience into any level, that makes it really feel like entertainment. It's bloody alright, but you can and should expect more than that! Not to mention that the soundtrack (sounds) can and do get pretty annoying! Problem if you watch it at a theater? You can't turn the volume down, neither fast forward! But just because you can at home, doesn't mean you should try it ... I strongly recommend against that! Of course there are movies, worse than that (quite a few actually), but this also isn't an argument and/or point that works for the movie! I really hate to say it, but stray away from this movie (I didn't even get into the video quality and other stuff)

I don't care about the lousy CGI, after all this is a low budget movie and as far as ambition goes for a small film this is an ENORMOUS FILM and thats why I'll give it a seven out of ten but please try a bit harder to cast better actors or give them some direction.I will not include Andrew Divoff in this as he is remarkable. This movie's much fun if you can excuse the horrendous performances and get past stock lines like, "When it comes to sex I'm Tri-sexual cuz I'll try anything once". Go rent it though, there's plenty of fun here and plenty of nods to classic horror. Now I know I said the CGI is lousy but the special effects are good, especially the Divoff's final moments.