Review of Razorback (1984) by Matthew F — 19 Dec 2009

Being an Austrailian ozploitation film; there's a certain kitsch appeal that comes with Razorback--though this can be admirable in films such Dead Alive and Turkey Shoot, our film seems to fall short in three major areas that compliment the kitsch appeal.

There's not enough style to the dialogue and though this could be acceptable for a dire animal film, (because so many others have been made and done the same thing) I believe the excessive amount of these films themselves have lowered the standards. Jaws was a dire animal film that showed us you can pull off a stylish dialogue with such a simple concept to run on.

Where the dialogue is lacking in Razorback, the visuals are pulling through.

Though the visuals in the film are brilliant; (maintaining an enigmatic feeling with each portrait of emotion) they are lost by the straight forward and sometimes altogether emotionless acting from almost the entire cast.

Judy Morris is an exception and performs beautifully throughout the film; giving a chilling scene where she's pulled from her car by the dire razorback and eaten alive.

The final piece of this film that plummets its potential into the drain is the unnecessary long scenes without tension. Because this is a film that thrives on its tension, without the tension there the film loses its momentum.

I think the gruesome opening to the film is very grabbing, it's the main reason I kept watching, hoping the film would continue with that type of payoff...but it never happened.

I've heard a lot of people complain about the ridiculous appearance of the dire razorback, but I thought the razorback was perfect and quite creepy for a kitsch film; as a matter of fact I believe the big piggy was the best part of the film.

Though I may critisize the film a lot, I do have a love for cheesy cinema and this film falls into 3 stars by adoration of what can be so bad in many ways but be so good with a light heart and an open mind.

Give this film a chance if there's just somthing about bad movies that makes you feel good.