The episode of Finest Horror Film You By no means Noticed masking VFW was Written by Andrew Hatfield, Narrated by Kier Gomes, Edited by Paul Bookstaber, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Government Produced by Berge Garabedian.
In right now’s film panorama, its straightforward to get a sequel or remake greenlit, notably in horror, however what about an authentic film that may be a heavy homage to an older title? This can provide is one thing contemporary and enjoyable if completed nicely. It has to have the appropriate elements like the appropriate actors on display screen, the appropriate script, and know precisely what it’s and what it’s meant to perform. Indie director Joe Begos was the appropriate man to present us an entirely authentic style flick that got here out in 2019 to seemingly good opinions however little fanfare 4 years later. How a film put out by Fangoria, one of many premiere indie horror entities, got here and went is irritating particularly since VFW (watch it HERE) falls beneath the class of Finest Horror Film You By no means Noticed.
Joe Begos got here on the scene in 2011 together with his two shorts Dangerous Moon Rising and Toxin however received an enormous quantity of consideration following his first function movie Nearly Human in 2013. Nearly Human starred a forged of largely unknown actors that went heavy on the sensible aspect of particular results. His comply with up, The Thoughts’s Eye, would comply with an identical path however get favorable comparisons to heavyweights like Brian DePalma and David Cronenberg and have much more memorable sensible results behind it. Minimize to 2019 and Begos would have 2 films come out. Each with larger budgets, larger actors, and extra manufacturing worth however solely considered one of them is destined for cult standing down the road. Staring a bunch of expendables like older actors, a fantastic script by Max Brailer and Matthew Mcardle, and extra gore than you’d anticipate to slot in a 90-minute film, VFW may be referred to as Assault on Retirement House 13. It wears its inspiration on it’s sleeve for John Carpenter’s hyper violent basic that itself is the administrators tackle Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo.
Whereas Begos remains to be lively and put out a contemporary vacation basic with Christmas Bloody Christmas, its straightforward to see why VFW can be his lynchpin film. The script was initially a a lot larger affair with a lair inside a high-rise condo constructing, a flaming bus crashing by way of the aspect of the titular VFW constructing, and extra dangerous guys storming after our maintain up heroes. Fangoria purchased the rights to it and it was scaled down significantly to suit their finances and launch line. Begos often writes his personal films however on VFW, the credited work is finished by Max Brailer and Matthew McCardle. Neither man have a lot to their identify, though brailer would go on to jot down episodes for apocalyptic youngsters present Final Children on Earth and it’s online game adaptation. Whereas the present is customized from novels, you may see a few of what he took from VFW, particularly the home-made weapons, and put into his work on the present. Hopefully the 2 get to stretch their legs a bit extra in future initiatives.
The film opens with one other homage to a unique Carpenter film by giving us a gap exposition about how an opioid disaster has crippled America. Hylophedrine, or Hype, principally turns folks into addicted rage zombies who will do something to attain a success. This has turned cities and cities all throughout the nation into struggle zones of gangs combating one another with no assist from police who’ve primarily given up. Demand exceeds provide and heated battle is about to interrupt out in an unnamed metropolis. We get a glimpse of the desperation when gang chief Boz has considered one of his Hypers named Lucy soar off a balcony to chase after some medicine. Her youthful sister Elizabeth, who goes by Lizard, witnesses this and is about to trigger a heap of hassle for Boz, the gang, and the gang of veterans who’re simply there to do the appropriate factor.
Boz is performed by Travis Hammer, who, along with having a killer identify, has additionally been round for the reason that early 2000’s and appeared in the whole lot from excessive manufacturing TV exhibits like True Detective and The Leftovers to films like Arizona and From Black. He’s the proper of over-the-top menacing for this function as is his second in command Gutter performed by Dora Madison. She has been large from almost the beginning of her profession with a serious function in smash hit Friday Night time Lights and a minor recurring character in Dexter. She was additionally the primary character in Begos’ OTHER 2019 film Bliss. Very like Hammer, she is a badass quiet character on this. Lastly, Lizard is performed by Sierra McCormick who was just lately on 3 episodes of American Horror Tales.
It then cuts to virtually the one day time shot in the entire film. Simply right here and on the finish of the flick. That’s actually the one objectively dangerous a part of the film. It’s darkish. I don’t imply that it’s darkish in tone, although it does accomplish that, I imply that it’s visually darkish and exhausting to see at factors through the movie. Even on the flicks great 4K launch on a high-end TV, it’s simply tough to see at instances. Stephen Lang, Fred Williamson, and William Sadler stroll right into a bar. No, that’s not the beginning of a foul joke, it’s the opposite plot of the film. They get to their little pleased a part of the world of their Veteran of Overseas Wars bar. Lang is the lead right here as Fred but it surely’s William Sadler who steals the present as Walter. Along with the already named leads, the remainder of the crew consists of David Patrick Kelley, Martin Kove, and George Wendt.
Whereas this isn’t precisely the Expendables degree of horror personalities, one thing they tried with the even much less seen Demise Home, the forged right here has all appeared in style of some sort. Patrick Kelley in The Warriors and The Crow, Williamson in From Nightfall Until Daybreak, Sadler in Demon Knight, Kove in Final Home on the Left, Wendt randomly in a Masters of Horror episode and Home, and Lang most just lately within the two Don’t Breathe films but additionally within the Finest Hannibal Lecter Film You’ve By no means Seen, Manhunter. All of them have totally different personalities and play nicely off each one another and the grizzled vets they’re portraying. After a lot of the different patrons depart the bar, a youthful man nonetheless in uniform is available in and so they plan to go see a stripper that will have ties to their previous earlier than Lizard bursts in with stolen hype being chased by a few of Boz’s males.
Whereas the primary 25 minutes or so are good exposition, world, and character constructing, the remainder of the film strikes by in a bloody heartbeat. The pursuers waste no time in displaying they only need the medicine and no witnesses once they cleave an axe into Patrick Kelley’s Doug character, almost taking his complete arm off. His associates defend him by promptly blowing off the top of who they later discover out to be the brother of the primary gang chief. Whereas the fist particular impact we see is type of tacky, an clearly faux physique hitting the ground in a bathe of blood, that is the place the film actually exhibits it’s gory enamel. A couple of extra gang members die earlier than the group decides they should get out of dodge earlier than it’s too late. Effectively, its too late as George Wendt’s Thomas is taken out rapidly on his strategy to the automotive.
With no alternative left, the remaining veteran associates lock the place down with their younger refugee and active-duty soldier in tow. They’ve restricted weapons in a shotgun, handgun, and an axe however the vets are a artful crew. Whereas there’s some infighting, particularly with Kove’s character Lou pondering the simplest method out is simply to dump the lady, they find yourself sticking collectively and making weapons and traps out of something they will get their arms on. The primary siege doesn’t go nicely for the gang because the older group takes out most of them with improvised explosives and knives. One of many larger baddies does are available and clear home a bit earlier than he’s lastly taken down.
The lads have a disaster of confidence combined with a contact of ptsd for a few of them however prep for the following assault. Boz is finished and decides to ship in the whole lot they need to take again the medicine and kill all of the witnesses. Lou takes a web page out of Ellis’s guide from Die Laborious and tries to make a cope with Boz. He walks as much as the chief, and so they instantly use him as bait after listening to his supply. Lou takes out just a few of them however falls to the gunfire that additionally hits Fred within the leg whereas he’s nonetheless outdoors. Down a full man and a half now with Doug additionally on his strategy to the VFW within the sky, the group will get the encouragement they want once they discuss a despondent Fred into main once more. Sadler will get his time to shine right here as second in command, one thing we get a touch of in earlier tales instructed by the chums and its clear these troopers have and can do the appropriate factor for somebody in want, even of their superior age.
Boz comes by to speak one final time although his solely acceptable final result is all of them useless and his Hype again within the secure in his workplace, however a rejuvenated Fred holds his floor. The ultimate wave of the gang hits because the group prepares for his or her final stand with Williamson even grabbing checkovs manchette off the wall and doing a line of medicine to make him extra pumped than early 2000s Barry Bonds. Everybody will get their half to play and baddie to tackle whereas they nonetheless search for an escape route. Chainsaws, flagpoles, and gunfire takeover as our bodies are break up and blown aside in a blaze of gory glory. Walter and Shaun go for the truck however need to name an audible after seeing Fred’s wheels destroyed. They go for the navy car that ought to solely be ornament and Walter is mortally wounded.
Fred goes throughout the road to assist Lizard and tackle Boz when Walter drives the truck into Boz and exploding. Not the primary time Sadler has sacrificed himself as he does one thing equally heroic on the finish of Disturbing Conduct. Only a nice character actor total for Frank Darabont or anybody else in want of a person of sophistication. The survivors return and share a drink. At 92 minutes, VFW does the whole lot a grindhouse film ought to do and by no means overstays it’s welcome whereas delivering on all the products. It’s Begos greatest film up to now and is a enjoyable flick that each fan of horror, excessive motion, and style usually ought to take a look at. The 4K is extremely cheap and price a blind purchase or improve to get a deserving place in your shelf and be crossed off the listing of Finest Horror Films You By no means Noticed.
A pair earlier episodes of the Finest Horror Film You By no means Noticed sequence may be seen under. To see extra, and to take a look at a few of our different exhibits, head over to the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel – and subscribe whilst you’re there!