Thursday, January 21, 2016

THE FINAL GIRLS: SLASHER TRIBUTE/PARODY HITS THE RIGHT NOTES



Some will say that parody is the wrong word to use when describing this movie. No, it’s not a dead on parody like the films of Mel Brooks but the movie in the movie is definitely making fun of slasher films of the 80s while giving them a quick wink. Best of all it works on so many levels.

Max Cartwright (Taissa Farmiga) is a young girl still dealing with the death of her mother, actress Amanda Cartwright (Malin Akerman), an actress known mostly for her most famous role as a scream queen in a well-loved slasher film from the 80s called CAMP BLOODBATH. A few years have passed and Duncan, the brother of Max’ best friend Gertie, presses Max to come to a midnight screening of the film being shown nearby. The place is packed with hardcore fans but as the movie plays something strange happens. The next thing you know a fire breaks out, Max and friends head to the stage to try and escape and suddenly their entire world changes.

Max and friends awake to find themselves in the woods walking along a road. Still unaware of where they are, a van approaches filled with camp counselors. They ask for directions and as they pull away Duncan realizes what has happened. Somehow they’ve been thrown into a different dimension and are now living in the world of the movie CAMP BLOOD. They can’t escape and find themselves stuck in a loop of sorts as the same van with the same counselors pulls up over and over again until they finally get inside and go with them.

Things get especially weird for Max as the moment comes when the character her mother plays wakes in the back of the van and Max gets the chance to see her mother in the flesh once again. It’s a touching moment but odd at the same time since we know this is a film. But is it? With Max and her friends in the mix several things begin to change in what happens in the film. The so called camp stud continues to hit on all the girls, the camp nympho still wants to hit on the guys and Max’ mom’s character still is considering sleeping with the stud. But because of the rules of all slasher films should she do so her demise is guaranteed and Max will do anything to keep that from happening.

As the night goes on the attack by the film’s slasher, Billy Murphy, continue to happen where they are scheduled to. But when he is prevented from following through in one case another opens and things that should be happening aren’t. Instead new killings take their place. But this is a movie, right? Things can’t go wrong or you can prevent things from happening, correct? Apparently not without consequences.

Once things begin rolling the counselors realize that this group knows more than they thought. They band together now, both groups, and hope to put a stop to the murders. For Max and her friends it’s not just about preventing Billy from slicing and dicing everyone, it’s about trying to find a way back to the real world as well while at the same time Max is trying not to lose her mother all over again.

This movie works on so many levels. Not only does it work as a horror film but the whole comedy based within works too. I haven’t had this much fun with a horror film since watching DALE AND TUCKER VERSUS EVIL and that was a film I watched numerous times. Odds are pretty good that will happen with this one as well.

Everything looks great in this movie and the script is filled with in jokes for die-hard fans, enough mystery to keep you guessing and enough emotions to tug at your heartstrings when called upon. The performances are much better than usually found in movies like this with standout performances by Farmiga as well as Adam Devine as the oh so cool camp stud. His lines alone will have you laughing through much of the movie.

Some movies you watch because you want to get something from them. Others you watch for social redeeming value. Some because they are award winning films. This movie you watch for one reason – to have fun. The fact it that this and a bowl of fresh popcorn are all you need for a great night at the movies. Pass the salt please.

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