Review of Tusk (2014) by Todd S — 21 Sep 2014

Director and pop culture mogul Kevin Smith takes a stab at the body-horror genre with his latest film Tusk; a very original, unapologetic romp that will disturb you but that is about it. Smith has delivered a lot of great films (Clerks and Dogma), some raunchy comedies (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Zach and Miri), and even some heartfelt stories (Clerks 2 and Jersey Girl).

However, he has never conceived something quite like this and I doubt anybody else has either. This is a story of a podcaster that has a run in with a maniac who wants to turn a human being into a walrus.

I am not joking here, this man wants to turn another person into a walrus. You can't deny that this is an original concept, and to be honest in a very peculiar way this kind of works but that doesn't make it a good movie.

This movie has a great set up and there are a fair amount of deep thematic elements, but after literally the first act this movie's thrills and chills become fewer and fewer. Lets start off with the good of this movie.

As I mentioned the first act of this was almost flawless with mostly solid performances and this eerie and unsettling tone that never let up. Justin Long is the star here and I don't think he was the best choice to star in a film like this but he does a good enough job.

Haley Joel Osment is in this and he is actually the best part. He and long have great chemistry on screen and make this wild premise seem more human. The deranged maniac is played by Michael Parks and he is effective but as the movie goes longer he becomes more awkward than the script.

The comedy is also effective and very Kevin Smith-espue being risque and as raunchy as ever but it is hilarious all the way through the movie when it is used. Now on to the bad, which is the final 2 thirds of the film.

I am a fan of practical effects on screen, however the use of them in Tusk may be admirable on paper but when you see the final product for the shock value it is definitely disturbing. Unfortunately it goes from disturbing to nasty and from there it just becomes ludicrous.

I think that is Smith had handled the progression of this "transformation" better the final product would have been more effective, but we go from missing a limb straight to walrus in a matter of scenes.

There's no real time to wonder what this walrus will even look like but by the time you see it you will definitely be shocked but then you have alot of movie to go after that with not nearly as much compelling material.

I also have to mention the end of the film is just deplorable. I have an admiration for Smith's work as a filmmaker but even I don't understand where he went wrong with this film and why he thought this would be an acceptable ending.

Overall Tusk is funny and is effectively shocking but there isn't enough to make it worth recommending. If your looking for a cross between Misery and The Human Centipede then this is the film for you, but if you want a good horror film then steer clear of this film.

This is best as a Redbox rental or a digital download if you do decide to watch it.