Review of Red State (2011) by Raymond C — 26 Jan 2012

What's the moral of this story? Is it that as dangerous and real the threat of right-wing terrorism from perverted 'Christian' fanatical groups might be, your American government is even crazier and more dangerous? Is it that we live in a dog eat dog world? That the end really is near (or if it isn't that we should wish it was)? That justice exists in this country in no sense of the word? By my count this is the second loser in a row directed by Kevin Smith. Why would he follow up Cop Out with this? Is this his retirement plan, to go out in a shower of jeers? I really don't know what Smith's point is here because by pitting the heartless, soulless, ego-maniacal ATF against a more militant and violent version or Fred Phelp's Westboro Baptist Church (you know, the a-holes who picket the funerals of our fallen soldiers and say their death is God's punishment for society tolerating homosexuals), he has forfeited a platform from which to shine the light on despicable right-wing nutters like Fred Phelps or Timothy McVeigh.

I was going to give this movie two stars for being brazen, unapologetic, and in-your-face because I can respect that, but seeing an audience average of 3.4/5 (WAY out of line), I see too many people have already given him props for reasons secondary to the actual quality of his film. Don't waste your time unless you are in the mood for some pointless violence.