Review of Postal (2007) by Dave A — 06 Sep 2008

Here's the good news: Postal is Uwe Boll's first watchable movie. Here's the bad news: its still pretty bad. However, for once, I found myself laughing more WITH the movie than AT it than with past Uwe Boll disasters like Alone In The Dark and Blood Rayne.

Postal works because it dodges all subtleties about what it is and goes straight for the juggular. The movie opens up with a running gag regarding the number of virgins each of the terrorists will receive upon completing the 9/11 mission, and although it is appalling to have a filmmaker target such a devastating tragedy at the expense of the victims, its also very brazen and ballsy to even attempt to humanize the villains like that. But I was offended and laughed because Postal does a great job at finding the rationality in the absurdity. For example, while we Westerners condemn 9/11, Postal shines a satirical light on the Taliban's true motivations for the attack, and although its all absurd, it can get people to think outside the box. Why, because even the craziest, most offensive topics and how they're covered offer a chance to see things in a different light. Of course, Postal's plot can't be seriously, but the concept is there. It just lacks execution and believability.

Overall, Uwe Boll's 2007 films show promise that the director is actually improving. He has come along way since he foolishly spliced in video game footage in The House Of The Dead 6 years ago. Definitely worth checking out to see what all the absurdity and controversy is all about.