~Cast~Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (2007)
~Cast~
Nathan Bessel.........................Leslie Vernon
Angela Goethals......................Taylor Gentry
Robert Englund.......................Doc Halloran
Scott Wilson...........................Eugene
Zelda Rubenstein.....................Mrs. Collinwood
Directed by.............................Scott Glosserman
My Rating:
"Yea... Yea, plants and turtles... Plants and turtles... I only keep pets I can eat." ~Leslie Vernon
I read quotes and saw ads that said this was the next big thing in the slasher genre, the next JASON, FREDDY, and MICHAEL is here read the quotes on the box. I finally decided to check it out with having next to no prior knowledge of what this movie was truly about aside from the fact it was a documentary of an upcoming slasher which, in my mind, could have gone either way for me. Then I read another quote calling it a "comic gem" which threw me off big time so I truly had NO fucking clue as to what to expect from this film at all. When I started watching it, immediately I knew I loved what I was seeing. What I got was an original concept and a new perspective of the slasher genre and how our favorite killers pick their victims err targets. It works on many levels but I feel the film will fall flat on those who aren't big into horror slasher films, but to those who are (and if you aren't then why the hell are you on a strictly HORROR movie website?!) you will get tons of references, inside jokes and find yourself LOVING this film. Just when you thought the slasher genre was played out and dead as a topless beach blond bimbo, BEHIND THE MASK comes along and shows us how amazing the slasher genre still is!
The movie plays it straight and works as a comedy satire as well as a horror movie, it makes fun but doesn't insult the genre unlike so many other "horror comedies" My only problems with this movie lie within one unneeded twist and another one that was SO obvious it hurt but the characters kept trying to hint at it throughout. A couple of scenes could have worked better had they kept with a little bit of logic (i.e. being shot at then chilling outside for 5 minutes basking in the glory, trying to avoid being seen with Leslie but hanging out and causing a scene in front of the diner) but it's miniscule compared to how awesome this movie really is. The nods to other slasher films, big and small, is insane and for someone who has seen a shit ton of them, you can't help but smile at it.
Acting wise, Nathan Bessel was perfect as Leslie Vernon; he knew how to play it straight, lively and comical but also knew how to turn on the classic dead pan emotionless face when needed. He was perfect and I hope they have a sequel to this with him in it. Angela Goethals played the interviewer Taylor Gentry and while she had moments of annoyance, she worked very well in this and I enjoyed watching her interact with Leslie Vernon. Robert Englund has a small role in this but he has the funniest one if you are a slasher fan. Englund does his best Donald Pleasance impersonation of Dr. Loomis and it's hysterical. Every line, every frame he is in is a perfect parody of Loomis and it works. Scott Wilson plays Eugene the camera man and does a good job; he was very likable in the role. I loved the cameo from Zelda Rubenstein of the Poltergeist fame playing the librarian Mrs. Collinwood and she was awesome. She really needs to be in more stuff. Directing wise, this movie takes on the documentary look for the majority of the film so it feels like a documentary. There are 2 scenes though that are done as an actual movie and they are done with a lot of style and work for the feel of the film. Director did a good job he did!
Gore wise, this movie is very light on the gore but we get some nice tidbits, nothing you haven't seen in the films this movie mentions but still get a little something, something. A stabbing here, another stabbing there, a heart ripped out there, a head squishing... and that’s about it. Nudity wise, we get random boobs appearing and being massaged which is very nice.
I say, BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON is a must see for slasher fans and horror fans alike for it's eye opening look at what our favorite slashers do to set up their victims. While the film does not make the cut as far as gore comes, (which is something you thought would have been a must for a film parodying GORY slashers) it doesn't hurt the film enough to make it NOT worth watching/renting/buying! So check it out and love it!
Special Guest Reviewers:
Michael
Myers
::carves into couch:: Watch out Vernon...I'm coming for you
George
Newman
"Great! We just got that leather couch 2 days ago! There goes my chances of ever getting that new ham radio I've been wanting!"