Rage has rarely seemed as endearing -- or finally as useful -- as when it comes
from the title character in JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER. This creme-de-la-Canadian horror comedy achieves almost exactly the right tone -- consistently, too -- as it spoofs the creep-and-splatter fests of a few decades back. The movie manages (better than any I can recall) to make this genre come deliriously alive again in all its silly/gory glory by treating it with the utmost respect while its tongue remains firmly in-cheek.
Director and co-writer (with John Ainslie) Jon Knautz has performed a wonderful service for anyone who might have thought no more fun and thrills could be found in this kind of film. The pair, along with an exceedingly good cast, have set the new benchmark for goofy pleasure and drooling, transforming monsters (some of whom look a bit "rubbery," which actually adds to the fun). Lead actor Trevor Matthews does anger like nobody else (Anger Management could have used some of his pizzazz), Robert Englund (above left) makes a terrifically game fall guy (his classroom gross-out scenes are, for a change, hilarious), and Rachel Skarsten (above right) as Jack's girlfriend from hell is simply a treasure.
How all this came together so seamlessly (except, of course, when seams are required to show) is one of those lovely mysteries of filmmaking, in which a clever idea finds clever interpeters and takes off like a bat out of hell. Good on ya, gang!
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