Hatchet

Anchor Bay

R1/2 DVD

Hatchet is one of those great horror films which harks back to the old days of violent slashers and inbred killers. In many ways it is a classic “redneck psycho killer” tale adapted into a modern package. The story opens with a nice cameo by Robert Englund - a couple of local yokels are hunting for croc and get more than they bargained before. This classic opening is typical 80’s slasher fare with buckets of blood and guts and certainly starts the film with a bang. We then move into a nice modern twist, New Orleans Mardi Gras, Marilyn Manson soundtrack and lots and lots of tits.

It seems Ben has broken up with his girlfriend and his mates have taken him to the Mardi Gras to take his mind off it all. He, on the other hand, is not impressed with the constant booze and vomiting and decides to look for a midnite ghost trip. Another cameo follows from Tony Todd (Candyman) and they are on their way into the night.

Hatchet sets the stage for the action nicely. While there are some jumps and starts there is really little action for a good forty five minutes into the film. Misdirection is used to keep us wondering whether this is a slasher film or whether Victor Crowley is a myth and the real foe is a crocodile. However, when the slaughter begins, boy does it begin !

Kane Hodder, Jason in many of the later Friday the 13th entries plays Crowley and is superb in the role. Crowley is suitably deformed and horrid, the violence and gore is incredibly well done and there are enough shocks to stop your heart !

The acting is solid and the bitching, moaning and arguing between the characters adds an extra level. The incompetent tour director just in from the city, the fake director making his own private adult movies, the would be actresses and of course, the local girl come hero, all make the story more than a simple two dimensional horror. The end is great and comes with a nice twist, as one would expect.

It should be clear however that this isn’t a deep film, it is a homage to 80’s splatter and it works exceptionally well for what it is, while certainly it has a good sense of humour, dark wit and some great twists, ultimately it is the sheer joy of over the top slaughter which sells it.