Review of Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007) by Caleb G — 09 Dec 2008

Trying to emulate the slasher/horror flicks of the 1980's first time major motion picture director succeeds in his rejuvenation of a genre that seemed lost. Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer revolves around one, Jack Brooks, who watched the brutal killing of his family when was a child and struggles with anger problems because of it.

Jon Knautz and Trevor Matthews do a wonderful job of not rushing the story or forcing the genre down the audience's throat. A solid story line provides for a straight through line and character arc for Jack Brooks.

Knautz and Matthews don't take any short cuts in admiring the genre. Using only latex and makeup, they don't rely on CGI which makes the monsters look cheesy at times but also nostalgic towards the monsters of the 80's.

Another tip of the hat to the genre is the casting of Robert Englund who was made from by the Nightmare on Elm Street series. He is fantastic! He is Jack's science teacher and dives into a terrificly complex and fleshed out character.

While I have high praises for the film, it is not one for everyone. This is a great tribute to the old 80's horror classics. In the same vane as Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon and Hatchet, Jack Brooks delivers a well comprised blast from the blast with a modern twist!