Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Aug 23, 2011 18:27:17 GMT -5
Plot:Exit 33 is a chilling horror story of IKE, a northern Michigan Taxidermist that owns a very old gas station... this station sits "alone" on a rarely used highway that leads its travelers to Traverse City, Michigan... But something awaits those that stop at IKE's gas station... something very evil... we soon follow four friends that are headed to their high school reunion... four friends that also mistakenly take the same route...Exit 33.
Cast:
Kane Hodder
Antoinette Nikprelaj
Maria Hildreth
Jerry Reid
Virginia Bryant
Paul Elia
Christian Koza
My Thoughts:Carried by Hodder's performance.
Review:Tommy Brunswick's slasher indie "Exit 33", stars Kane Hodder as IKE, a taxidermist who also doubles as the owner and operator of "Last Chance Gas Station". A stop for mostly hunters, and passers through to get gas. But Ike lost his daughter a few years back to a horrific accident. Now, he is driven to slaughter those who dare take Exit 33, an exit which leads right through Ike's part of Northern Michigan.
Today's victims, a group of people headed to a high school reunion. "Exit 33" is your A-typical indie slasher movie. The victims are young people. Attractive-looking for a production this cheaply shot. And are pretty much easy prey for Ike. Which could be this movies downfall. Or not, depending on your point of view. "Exit 33" allows Kane Hodder, who plays killer/taxidermist Ike...to basically hack, slash, and gnash young people without the trademark Jason mask and tattered threads.
Hodder though carries the movie sharply with his performance as Ike. He really nails the character quite well. Proving that his rise from stuntman, to masked movie killer, to actual actor was indeed no accident. The guy can act, and these slasher roles seem to be his niche. And he works it pretty well. The young adult characters come off as nice kids though. Just regular, usual small town types who aren't really heavy into drinking, drugs, etc. though. But because Ike is plum nuts, and mentally disturbed.
He really doesn't care. And takes them out systematically. One-by-one anyways. The death scenes are quite gruesome and brutal also. We get a long-drawn out eye removal scene. And a few people are pounded pretty badly by Ike with his bare hands. Meanwhile, others are skinned alive. And the lead up to all of this, is Ike surprising people on the road when they have the usual car trouble. Or, if they stop to get gas.
Yet he only seems to target girls for some reason mostly. And is driven by the ghost of his dead daughter who is even creepier than Ike in many ways. There's a connection between Ike and his dead daughter, which the film doesn't explore that much. As it seems to moreso wanna be an indie slasher, instead of an indie slasher that rolls heavy on the supernatural. But the movie does have those "Friday The 13th" elements. Creepy woods, forest-backdrops, desolate rural areas, and such. Only the budget might be a few grand lower.
But yet, Hodder is in his element here in this movie in more ways than one. My one issue with the film though is Ike is made out to be too invicible. And the townspeople are made too easy prey. It seems Ike just skulks around and takes people out with ease. If he's not catching them off guard. He's just attacking them before they can defend themselves. It would've been nice to see someone atleast attempt to fight back, or give Ike somewhat of a decent fight. But the movie allows the serial-killer character of Ike to just steam-roll everybody.
And at some point, it gets a bit monotonous. "Exit 33" despite that though, is a decent indie slasher that also delivers a very creepy finale/ending. It's not a thinking slasher movie, nor is it one of those slasher films that you'll remember for months to come. It's not out to set any records, raise or create any new bars, or even usher in a new scream queen or two. It's truly an indie buzzsaw slasher.
Meant mainly as a starring vehicle for Hodder and to obviously entice curiosity seekers at the video store on a Friday or Saturday night...into taking a chance in renting it. While also playing to Kane Hodder fans who'd watch him in just about anything. "Exit 33" is a pure indie slice and dice flick. Blending one quarter torture porn, with a cup and a half of "Friday The 13th" inspired unstoppable killer'ism. Worth seeing atleast 1 time in my estimation.
Positives:Hodder plays a great psycho. Gory death scenes and graphic and drawn out torture moments. A twisted ending as well.
Negatives:Again, I get that Hodder is the star of the movie as Ike, but making him like the Terminator where he just easily dispatches of everyone he comes into contact with can get a bit repetitive.
Overall:Three stars out of four.