Review of 31 (2016) by Boogie B — 13 Oct 2016

Rob Zombie's New Halloween Film '31' is Filled With Clowns, Chainsaws, Psychopaths, Blood, and Terror!

Is Rob Zombie's '31' A New Halloween Classic Or Is It Another Misfire For The Director?

Five carnival workers are kidnapped the night before Halloween and held hostage in a large compound. At the mercy of their captors, they are forced to play a twisted game of life or death called 31. For the next 12 hours, they must fight for their lives against an endless parade of homicidal maniacs.

Anyone who knows Rob Zombie (heavy metal band White Zombie, The House of 1000 Corpses) will know he truly is a fan boy for horror films. You can tell from his music career, music videos, writing, films, and well him overall (LOL). Some can argue that he may be more of an indie cult following filmmaker than a mainstream film director. Especially with his last film, The Lords of Salem. Now I do like Rob Zombie as a horror director. Notice I said like, not love. Even though he makes entertaining films, for me there has not really been that film that has blown my mind away. My personally favorite film of his would be The Devil's Rejects. When it comes to his films, I believe he does not get any better or any worse. He simply remains the same. That being said, Rob Zombie's new Halloween film 31, is now a Rob Zombie film I can say I love. I enjoyed this just as much as The Devil's Rejects if not more!

Now 31 is not a perfect movie. Some of the writing could be a little better, and the editing just seems a little off in some scenes. The characters feel a little underwritten. Meaning, what do not really connect with any of the characters. Yeah, they do have interesting lines of dialogue. However, they feel paper-thin. However, if you are someone who enjoys horror films with homepages, blood, babes, and in all honesty silly scenes. I can see you enjoying this to the fullest. Those who liked his first narrative features, House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects, will most likely enjoy his latest, which feels like a mash-up of the two films. But, for others, this forced badassery will be too silly and self-conscious to feel edgy, and scary. Despite all the carnage and violated taboos.

Now if I feel like I know anything about Rob Zombie it is that he loves himself some of that old school horror. This film is clearly a throwback to the 1970s Grindhouse era of filmmaking. I mentioned early how the editing seemed a little off. It felt like the editor(s) were going for that Grindhouse look. On the other hand, I still think the editing could have been a little better. I mean there are some scenes where it is hard to tell what is happening. Also, this film is a mixture of other films. If The Running Man, Saw, The Purge, The Hunger Games, and Mr. Zombie's other films all got together to make one disturbing child movie baby you would get 31.

I AIN'T NO F#CKING CLOWN!

There is one character in this film that for me is the show stealer. It truly is his movie. I am talking about the character Doom Head, played by Richard Brake (Kingsman: The Secret Service, Spy). This character was frightening, his acting was spectacular, and it really is his movie. He owns the role, and I would love to see that character come back in a future film. Anyone who saw or read my Suicide Squad review knows that I actually did like Jared Leto (Panic Room, Dallas Buyers Club) as The Joker. But Doom Head is my vision for the perfect R Rated Joker in a R rated Batman film. As much as I like Jared Leto, I have to be honest. If he really does not want to come back as Mister J, DC I am begging you please, bring Richard Brake as The Joker! I never thought I would say this, but maybe Rob Zombie should help with the next Batman flick. I would not be surprised if Rob Zombie told Richard Brake "So, um, yeah, this is the script for that new Batman movie." (Eyes darting back and forth).

So these are my final Bitchin Buddha thoughts on 31. I enjoyed it, and I know it will be a film I watch every Halloween! Not everyone will enjoy it, but I believe most old school horror fans will be pleased. I believe this film earns a.

4 out of 5!

Thank you all for reading and or viewing, and I hope you all have an amazing day as always. :).