Review of Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007) by Patrick E — 23 Oct 2008

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is intended to be a throwback to the world of 80's comedy/horror where we were treated to so many brilliant films, none no more so than The Evil Dead trilogy. There was no CGI in those times so practical effects had to be used which, in my mind, look so much better than CGI when done right. The effects are one of the things that JBMS gets right; sadly the plot and comedy elements let the film down.

The story is as follows: As a child Jack Brooks witnesses the brutal murder of his family by a monster. He freezes and fails to do anything to help. Now grown up he has serious anger management problems. While helping his professor with some plumbing work they unknowingly unleash an ancient curse, which slowly transforms Jacks professor into a demon from hell. It's up to Jack to save the day. The actual story is fine for this type of film; it's the execution that they get very wrong.

The film opens well with a good action sequence and the flash back to Jacks parents being killed. Sadly the next hour is totally devoid of action and is entirely based around Jacks anger problems with the odd scene showing the Professors transformation. This would have been fine if the comedic elements of the film worked but they were very much hit and miss, most of them missing. We have to wait until the final 15 minutes before the demons are unleashed and the action gets going. Even then it's nothing we haven't seen before although they're some very good old school gore and creature effects.

The film had so much potential to be a homage to the classics of the 80's. In some respects it's a success in that no CGI is used at all but the slow story and lack of action really let it down. In saying that, it's still fun in parts and worth a watch for anyone who likes cheesy 80's horror.

6/10.