Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Michael Allen
Note: Ed Sum is an English Graduate from the University of Victoria, a part time food blogger, and a horror afficionada. Mr. Sum will be writing reviews for this site, as films are available and time permits. Please enjoy Sum's first review on the site for Puppet Master: Axis of Evil.
Director: David DeCoteau.
Writer: August White.
The puppets are back, and this time, they're working for the Allied powers during the outbreak of WW2. In Charles Band's Puppet Master : Axis of Evil, the propaganda is very hard not to dismiss and it overshadows what would otherwise be a fine return of Full Moon Feature's now classic line of creature comforts.
Who doesn't love seeing a cold willing Blade or dizzyingly sinister Jester get medieval with a company of humans? These puppets were once a product of nightmares for many a sleepless night, but since their inception in 1989, these living dolls have become occult heroes for audiences to cheer for, and even toys to collect. These films slowly lost its horrific appeal of spilling blood and guts. While the early films were more eerily creepy, they now concentrate on creating a timeline of episodic moments that are lightly linked.
In Axis of Evil, under the guidance of Danny Coogan (Levi Feihler), they uncover a plot by spies to undermine America's involvement in the coming war. While the States did not make a formal declaration of war on Japan and Germany until after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, the battle has already begun in 1939. Whether this historical inaccuracy is intentional or not, it seems the animosity towards America has always been around. Ironically enough, this movie was filmed in China.
Taking charge in the film is Coogan, a cripple who thinks he can still make a difference. He inherits the mantle of the new puppet master and he is better off expounding on what he's uncovered, than talking about how he can't go fight for his country. His naivety shows through somewhat convincingly, but as with most B-movie films the stereotypes are played to ad nauseam. This level of performance is expected, but there are times it gets grating, especially when all it does is to continue to propagate idealisms that should be best forgotten.
The sentiments of a past era should be over, and yet they live on in film.
And movies which continue to deliver these messages are a mixed blessing. In one level, they show that not everyone is over it, but in another, when there's a suitable moment, the ironies are beautiful. This little detail can bring a little smirk of enjoyment when it's the puppets who are taking down the Axis of Evil. An American soldier gets turned into a ninja puppet. Who cannot appreciate that? While the war isn't over, the battle has just begun. The movie hints at a continuation proves good, and Coogan will be taking the lead.
The film on Facebook:
Puppet Master on FB
The film's homepage at Full Moon:
Puppet Master at Full Moon Direct
Released July 27th, 2010:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
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Stumble It!
Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis by Email
Director: David DeCoteau.
Writer: August White.
The puppets are back, and this time, they're working for the Allied powers during the outbreak of WW2. In Charles Band's Puppet Master : Axis of Evil, the propaganda is very hard not to dismiss and it overshadows what would otherwise be a fine return of Full Moon Feature's now classic line of creature comforts.
Who doesn't love seeing a cold willing Blade or dizzyingly sinister Jester get medieval with a company of humans? These puppets were once a product of nightmares for many a sleepless night, but since their inception in 1989, these living dolls have become occult heroes for audiences to cheer for, and even toys to collect. These films slowly lost its horrific appeal of spilling blood and guts. While the early films were more eerily creepy, they now concentrate on creating a timeline of episodic moments that are lightly linked.
In Axis of Evil, under the guidance of Danny Coogan (Levi Feihler), they uncover a plot by spies to undermine America's involvement in the coming war. While the States did not make a formal declaration of war on Japan and Germany until after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, the battle has already begun in 1939. Whether this historical inaccuracy is intentional or not, it seems the animosity towards America has always been around. Ironically enough, this movie was filmed in China.
Taking charge in the film is Coogan, a cripple who thinks he can still make a difference. He inherits the mantle of the new puppet master and he is better off expounding on what he's uncovered, than talking about how he can't go fight for his country. His naivety shows through somewhat convincingly, but as with most B-movie films the stereotypes are played to ad nauseam. This level of performance is expected, but there are times it gets grating, especially when all it does is to continue to propagate idealisms that should be best forgotten.
The sentiments of a past era should be over, and yet they live on in film.
And movies which continue to deliver these messages are a mixed blessing. In one level, they show that not everyone is over it, but in another, when there's a suitable moment, the ironies are beautiful. This little detail can bring a little smirk of enjoyment when it's the puppets who are taking down the Axis of Evil. An American soldier gets turned into a ninja puppet. Who cannot appreciate that? While the war isn't over, the battle has just begun. The movie hints at a continuation proves good, and Coogan will be taking the lead.
The film on Facebook:
Puppet Master on FB
The film's homepage at Full Moon:
Puppet Master at Full Moon Direct
Released July 27th, 2010:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
| | |
Stumble It!Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis by Email
Posted in: 2010,august white,axis of evil,david decoteau,horror,puppet master,thriller
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