Victor Crowley: Return to his swamp
Recently released on home video, Victor Crowley sees the return of the Hatchet franchise. Taking place 10 years after the events of the preceding films, Crowley sees the titular villain return to his stomping grounds in a movie that is hilarious, bloody, and overall a good time.
Anyone familiar with the Hatchet franchise knows the series has had its fair share of humor in the past. Crowley find the laughs cranked up to a level not seen before. Most of the time, the humor fits well, and generates some genuine laughter. Particularly, the character Dillon, played by Dave Sheridan, is a highly entertaining goof. However, there are a few moments where the film is building tension, and it is broken by a ill-placed joke. It doesn't happen much, but it is quite jarring when it occurs.
As with any entry in the series, this is a proud slasher, throwing ludicrous amounts of blood at the screen. While some of the effects do tend to cross across as obviously not looking real, it works well for the movie. Crowley's kills are almost cartoonish in their execution, and are so over the top and absurd, that is just works. Gorehounds will certainly find a lot to enjoy in this one.
The acting in the film is good enough. Perry Shen's return as Andrew is a highlight, as Shen continues to be a great part of the entire franchise. Other actors and actresses perform their roles well enough, making you care about characters, and pulling for their survival, or in some instances, hoping for a violent death. The cast brings a nice feel of those 80's slashers that have long influenced this series. A special nod has to of course go to Kane Hodder, who once again makes Victor Crowley a nightmarish force.
The plot is a nice continuation of the older films, while servicing as a nice starting point for those new to the franchise. It is a quick moving film, setting the pieces in place nicely, however the film does seem to move a bit too quickly in the final act. The last 15 minutes in particular seem to be a bit rushed to get to the climax. It is still quite enjoyable, and does not diminish the work the film had done earlier.
Victor Crowley is an enjoyable ode to slashers, and a fun return to the world set up in the Hatchet trilogy. It is a great time, and will leave you laughing one moment, and on edge the next. Hopefully we will be allowed to visit the Bayous once again soon, and see another Victor Crowley movie in the future.
4/5
