Review of Hobo with a Shotgun (2011) by Jackson H — 06 Nov 2012

What started as a mock trailer for the Canadian release of Grindhouse has become a full feature film, in the aptly title Hobo with A Shotgun. Taking the same tongue-in-cheek approach and penchant for gore as the Tarantino/Rodriguez effort that spawned it, this is a film that is as simple as its title.

Let's begin with the plot. Like the title, it's simple. However the aforementioned shotgun does not appear until midway through the film. First, we are introduced to Scum Town, a depraved setting, run by the Drake and his sons Ivan and Slick. The Hobo arrives in Scum Town to witness the depravity of the Drake; when he decapitates his own brother in an elaborate sewer hole execution. Like any great exploitation affair, the gore in "Hobo" is full on, don't expect a nice modest time in the theatre. Although the Hobo later befriends prostitute Abby in their plans to start a lawn mowing business, these quite moments are sparing, as the town descends further into hell.

The film is director Jason Eisener's debut on the big screen, and for the most part, he gives the film an unique look. The best way to describe how the film is shot is "hyper-stylised". The film has a extenuated colour scheme, and the retro feel is added by the eclectic music score. .

Writer John Davies crafts some truly depraved characters, the inhabitants of Scum Town range from pedophilic Santa to disrupted schlock movie maker, and everything in between. .

Rutger Hauer leads the cast as the eponymous Hobo, who becomes a shotgun-wielding vigilante, as the title suggests. Hauer is the most recognisable actor in "Hobo", and his monologue in the hospital nursery on the futility of life is ominously reminiscent of his performance in "Blade Runner". The rest of the cast will seem unknown to most, but Molly Dunsworth (Abby) and Brian Downey (The Drake) will be known to those familiar to Canadian television and cinema.

But let us get to the red elephant in the room; the gore. While I have no issue with it, as it finds it's place in the genre, I can see where it may become too much for some. This is not the lightest gore on offer, expect heads flying off, being shot in, guts, lots of stylised red and fingers being shredded. "Hobo" is not light on the gore, so expect a bloody affair. .

Armed with a standout performance from Rutger Hauer and gloriously over-the-top gore and stylised violence, Hobo with A Shotgun is a blood-drenched, depraved good time.