Review of The Wizard of Gore (1970) by Jason Z — 22 Jul 2007

Just saw the remake, starring Crispin Glover in the title role originated by Ray Sager. Now, here's how I think about reviewing movies: it's like the Westminster Dog Show. You don't compare a mastiff to a chihuahua, you judge each breed according to its ideal characteristics.

And Herschell Gordon Lewis films are a breed unto themselves, brother. Wizard of Gore is perhaps HGL's most baffling film - I defy you to explain how Montag's act works, or what is really going on in the film - but it's also easily one of his most entertaining.

The remake, brilliant casting of Crispin Glover (who is sadly underutilized, but captures the anti-performance spirit of HGL's collaborators) aside, not so much. 2007's Wizard of Gore spends too much time philosophizing, too much time with hipster doofuses (doofi?), too much effort on half-baked plausability, and way too much time - I can't believe I'm saying this - ogling naked Suicide Girls.

And forgive me for begging the question, but shouldn't a film called The Wizard of Gore be, well, gory? So, in the pantheon of HGL, the 1970 Wizard of Gore gets 4 stars. The 2007 version, maybe a generous 1 star.

The re-makers should have taken Montag's advice: croncentrate!