I remember going to see Rob Zombie's directorial debut in a theater about 2 1/2 years ago. I was very excited to see it, because at the time, I was a huge fan of Rob Zombie's musical endeavors, both with his original band White Zombie and his second, self titled band.
Through the years, he had established himself, not only as quite a musical performer, but also as a striving force for the band visually and thematically.
When I originally saw House of 1000 Corpses, I was taken aback by the overall music video-type feel the film had. The plot was a bit hard to follow at times, because of this, and I think the movie suffered. It also seemed like Zombie had borrowed a bit too much from the murdering family in the 1970's classic, 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'.
That said, after several viewings, I found myself becoming a fan of the film, based upon its characters. The murdering Firefly family of House of 1000 Corpses had gone one step further than the one-dimensional killers in 'Texas Chainsaw' in that they made you care. Whether you hated them, loathed them, liked them, or felt for them - Zombie took you into their world and made you feel. For a first time director, that's not too shabby.
Anyway, I was psyched last year when I learned Lion's Gate Films was allowing Rob Zombie to make a second film.
Fast forward to over the weekend when I finally had the opportunity to check out his sophomore film, 'The Devil's Rejects'.
'The Devil's Rejects' picks up with very little time between this and the end of House of 1000 Corpses. From the opening shot, where we are greated by Tiny Firefly (played by the too soon deceased Matthew McGrory) watching as police swarm down on the Firefly house, we are drawn in, and not released until the film's end.
Police have stormed the Firefly compound in attempt to capture and kill the murdering family. Otis (Bill Moseley) and Baby (Sherri Moon Zombie) are the lone two family members to escape. The two then link up with evil clown Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig) and set out on the road in an attempt to maintain their freedom.
Along the way we are treated to several grizzly murders, as you would only expect from the three 'Devil's Rejects'. But mostly along the way, we are given several scenes relating to their kinship, and why they are as they are.
Zombie gives us the rare chance in horror movies to get to know the characters and to have a background on them. By painting the characters so vividly, the viewer is able to establish a disturbing kinship with these characters...and by the end of the film, the Devil's Rejects, kind of become anti-heroes.
Zombie has crafted a much different movie then the previous, House of 1000 Corpses. I would venture to say this even less of a horror film then we all might think. In essence, it is an homage to road movies...dealing with a renegade family on the road, and their quest for freedom. Several hilarious moments tend to take the overall dark subject matter of the film, and cast a sort of deplorable light upon it. One moment that comes to mind in particular is when Spaulding and Baby are chanting 'Tutti F'n Fruity' at Otis whilst driving, in an attempt to get him to stop so they can buy ice cream.
Zombie has utilized much less of a music video feel with this film than in the previous one, as well. Thus showing his diversity as a director, as well as his ability to make a well crafted, tightly directed movie.
He also has payed homage to several classic 80s icons, as Dawn of the Dead's Ken Foree has pretty big role as Chalie Altamont, Michael Berryman of The Hills Have Eyes plays his sidekick Clevon, pro wrestler Diamond Dallas Page has a cameo, and even porn star Ginger Lynn has a bit part.
As a film, 'The Devil's Rejects' completely stands alone from 'House of 1000 Corpses' as a different film. In many ways it is unfair to compare the two. However, as a pure movie, 'The Devil's Rejects' works much better. Plot development, character development, and exposition are very well achieved, making for a terrificly watchable movie.
I really enjoyed 'The Devil's Rejects' and would tell any fan of the genre to definitely give it a viewing. It is also highly watchable to the casual summer viewer, looking for something mindless to watch when there's nothing to do.
The unthinkable horror and chaos continues a few weeks after the events depicted in "House of 1000 Corpses," as the murderous Firefly family is forced...More at HotMovieSale.com
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