There are movies you look forward to and your expectations are met or tossed aside. There are movies you don’t know about but discover and think what a great movie. And then there are those movies you watch and think…what the heck did I just watch? And sometimes those movies leave you trying to decide if you loved or hated it at the same time. Such is the movie JESUS SHOWS YOU THE WAY TO THE HIGHWAY.
Get ready because this one won’t be easy to explain. The year is 2043 and we are presented with a pair of CIA operatives who specialize in cyber-crime. Palme (Agustin Mateo) is your typical James Bond handsome lead while Gagano (Daniel Tadesse) is a slightly malformed dwarf. The two are sent on a mission to find and destroy a computer virus called “Soviet Union”. To do so they enter the virtual world called Psychobook, the CIA’s operating system, where their images appear to have plastered on flat paper faces and the animation involves pixilated images.
As their battle against the evil villain “Stalin” as well as his compadre in crime “Batfro” (yes an African ruler in a 60s Batman costume) they try and save the world. Stalin has plans of unleashing a viral infection that will affect the entire world. Only our two heroes can stop him.
In addition to his adventure in this viral world Gagano is thinking of retiring so he can spend more time with his girlfriend Malin (Gerda-Annette Allikas). A zaftig woman with hopes of starting her own mixed kickboxing school, Gagano worships the ground she walks on. A more unlikely couple would be hard to find in any movie.
Confused yet? Join the crowd. Here’s the thing though. It works. It really does. This is not your Tom Cruise MISSION IMPOSSIBLE spy film. This is a group of spies working in weird conditions that have yet to even be developed. At least I hope so. And in spite of the looks of those involved, something far too many rely on in a film, this group has more heart going than many regular films.
There is a jarring sense of reality involved in the virtual world that we knows is supposed to be off kilter but still seems beautiful in its own way. Batfro offers some humorous relief in the segments he’s in instead of inspiring fear. And Tadesse is one of the best representations of the common man who is uncommon in his abilities I’ve seen in years. In spite of his physical issues I’d love to see him in more movies in the future.
This is not your normal Saturday night movie to pop in and just pay half attention to. This one will require you watch with interest and then sit and discuss. If like me you’ll at first think what a piece of garbage but then you’ll start thinking about it more and more and realize this was something unique.
Arrow Video is releasing this with their usual style which means a quality looking transfer and plenty of extras. These include a new audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Anton Bitel, FROM TALINN WITH LOVE a virtual essay by critic Will Webb exploring the influence of exploitation cinema on the film, and audio interview with director Miquel Llanso by critic Josh Hurtado, two short films by Llanso, the original proof of concept trailer, the theatrical trailer, an image gallery, reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Austin Hinderliter, a double-sided fold-out poster and a limited edition illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Barry Forshaw on the film and CRUMBS by Anton Bitel. The release is limited to just 2,000 copies so for fans of the film pick it up before they’re gone.
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