Slaughter, The (DVD)

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The Slaughter DVD (click for larger image)Reviewed by Uncle Creepy

Starring Billy Beck, Brad Milne, Zac Kilberg, Jessica Ellis, Terry Erioski

Directed by Jay Lee

Distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment


I know what you’re thinking — Cool cover. Unfortunately when it comes to most Lionsgate movies cool cover usually ends up meaning shitty movie contained within. Yet, I couldn’t help but look at all the awards this little flick had garnered at the bottom of the box art. Could it be? Could The Slaughter have some horror chops? For the most part … yes!

It’s the type of story we’ve all seen hundreds of times before. Six horny college kids are hired by a rich scumbag (complete with hot bitchy secretary who eventually turns against said scumbag because she’s tired of his shit) to clean up an abandoned old house so that it could be sold for a nice chunk of change. While there the kids accidentally wake up the spirit of a long slumbering nude female demon who has to off the kids in ritualistic ways so that she may become flesh and blood again.

The Slaughter DVD (click for larger image)From the second The Slaughter starts its apparent that this is not going to be the usual cheapo indie effort. Everything is very stylized and there’s a lot of hyper-reality type stuff taking place in a manner that’s borderline too artsy. After the opening, things settle down for the most part and the more traditional horror tale begins. That’s not to say that director Jay Lee abandoned his initial approach. There’s a lot going on in this flick and at times its both a feast for the eyes and for the senses. Yet in this case ambition has a tendency to work against the production. Some of the film’s F/X seem unfinished and half baked and this takes you right out of what sometimes feels like an early Raimi-esque type experience. Even with these shortcomings one thing is certain, if somebody out there ever gives Jay Lee a real budget to work with we could all be in for a real treat.

There are barely any treats at all to be found in the extras department on this disc. All we get is a blooper reel and an extended scene. This was one instance I was begging for a commentary but alas, it was not meant to be.

If you’re looking for an indie-horror fix that’s heavy on high energy mayhem look no further than The Slaughter. It may not be a perfect movie but you cannot help but respect what the filmmaker’s were trying to accomplish. Now please, someone bankroll this guy’s next flick already!

Special Features

  • Blooper reel
  • Deleted scene

    Film:

    3 1/2 out of 5

    Special Features:

    2 out of 5

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