NEW BLOOD: 31

31
Saban
2016 color
102 Mins.
Horror
Sheri Moon Zombie, Richard Brake, Meg Foster, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Malcolm McDowell, Elizabeth Daily, Lew temple, Judy Geeson, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Kevin Jackson and David Ury star.
Written and Directed by Rob Zombie
Rated R for strong language, graphic violence, gore, sexuality, nudity and drug use.

I was lucky enough to catch the Fathom screening of Rob Zombie's latest endeavor. After two intriguing misfires Halloween 2 and Lords of Salem, Zombie returns to form in this goretastic cinematic slaughterfest. The film centers on a group of 5 carnies who find themselves the unwilling participants in 31, a sadistic game in which they have to survive twelve hours facing one nightmarish killer after another. All the while being monitored by some aristocratic douche bags waging bets on them. All the goods are here from the colorful killers to the kick ass victims who decide to fight back to the blood soaked carnage, energetic pacing and inventive direction.

But the film is far from flawless. Although still a successfully brutal genre outing Zombie seems to be going by the numbers in what his audience wants. Yes it's still a satisfactory outcome but the proceedings lack a bit of passion. Even in his failures you could feel the intent to bring us something that's truly his, unique and masterful. Here it just seems that he is going with what people expect from him. Which is a good thing for us. There's no real art here and truth be told the cinematography looks a little more washed out than usual. And yes in other fare such as the amazing, colorful fun house nightmare House of 1000 Corpses, The strikingly original Devil's Rejects and his under rated subtly brilliant take on Halloween the characters always feel grander, the dialogue more clever and addictive and the set pieces more personal. I'm not really putting down 31. I, in fact really very much enjoyed it. And although I'm sure it was executed in a simplistic fashion there is a lot of twisted subtext throughout the film intentional or not. There are shadings of the current state of government as well as a statement on a brutal depiction of violence for our viewership and ours alone.

The performances range from solid to decent although a little expected. Richard Brake takes the cake as Doom Head a twisted clown of sorts. His opening monologue done in black and white is eerie and effective. He would have achieved icon territory but he has some over the top moments sprinkled through out and is forced to deliver some questionable dialogue.

 Meg Foster is the best of the intended victims. She adds an admirable and relatable edge to her character and although she's not given much she delivers some solid moments.

 Sheri Moon Zombie starts off kinda rocky but ends up delivering her expected cool factor.

 And Jeff Daniel Phillips is solid in his under developed by likable role. In the end I really wish there was just more of everything especially considering the commitment of most of the people involved. I love Zombie as a director his films are always interesting and he is one of the only directors working today when you can tell if it's his movie.

 That being said although he may have his eyes on other passion projects of his own it's important to give it your all when delivering the bloody goods your fans expect. Yes 31 is a great time and it mostly delivers the intended goods but it could have been fucking great and that let down is something i hope we don't have to get used toowith his future projects. ****.5/5