Two escaped death row inmates get more than they bargained for when they take a family hostage in Killers. New to Blu-ray from Synapse Films.
The Film
Even if one does not like Mike Mendez’s Killers, one has to appreciate the visual construction of the piece. It’s hard for films to look like “films” which is the very problem with many lower-budgeted productions. Not here. Mendez’s film is visually sharp belying its lower-budget origins. The story construction and twists work beautifully.
Killers problem lies in the scripting/dialog and performances. The script by Mendez and star/producer Dave Larsen other than the plot is an unmitigated mess. The film made during the heart of the Quinten Tarantino indie movie boom is everything you would expect from a QT knockoff. The dialog has a post-modern spin ala True Romance or From Dusk till Dawn but comes off as wooden and insufferable. The first thirty to forty minutes of the film are filled with inane bits of “stylized” nonsense that fall flat and continues to fall flat until the second half of the film.
The reason the second half works so well is that it’s almost dialog-free. There are moments but thankfully are kept brief to focus on the action. This lands squarely on the star, the late Dave Larsen. His imposing nature on screen is belied by his stilted delivery of dialog. The performance through and through feels inauthentic. Any speech or dialog Larsen gives as Odessa James stops the movie narratively. One wishes that Larsen was given more takes or was given some help here in this wooden performance that only shines when the film has him doing anything action and physical on screen.
One wishes Killers with its clever play on the home invasion thriller, the film would have cast a more charismatic lead at its center. Understanding that this was invariably Larsen’s production, calling the shots on who was cast, the film was doomed from the first frame shot.
The Transfer
The original unrated director’s cut scanned and restored by Multicom Entertainment Group regardless of what one thinks of the film, the transfer is a marvel. The film looks beautiful on Blu-ray with the restoration done by Multicon retaining all the luster and glow of its 35mm origins. The transfer has a wonderful patina of grain that makes the transfer more filmic forward. The minor flecks of dust only add to the beauty of the Blu-ray making it feel like an archival print than just a digital file. Other than that minor note the film is free of any scratches or defects.
The Extras
They include the following;
Audio commentary with director Mike Mendez and author/horror journalist Michael Gingold
Original promotional trailers
Alternate Ending
Liner notes by critic/writer Heather Drain
The Audio commentary with director Mike Mendez and author/horror journalist Michael Gingold begins with the opening moments of the film and the lack of credits – which is something that Mendez says he’s done quite regularly. Some of the details include the other song that opened the film (it was a Doors song); casting the parents of the James Brothers; the casting process for the entire production; the reason why Christmas time setting; the real life figures that inspired the James Brothers; the films that inspired the film; how Larsen and Mendez began to collaborate and made Killers – using short ends from a failed production of Larsen’s, using locations they owned, and with the help of friends; where the financing came from and the loss of money; the passing of Larsen; Larsen’s love of Mickey Rourke and how that translated onscreen; a larger discussion of the visual prep he did for the film – including how he crewed up via AFI graduating class of the year; the hilarious way they accomplished the rain – without rain towers; how he approached the various monologue scenes to keep them visually interesting; the sex scene – and how it was accomplished; working in 35mm vs working in Digital; submitting and getting into Sundance with this film; the influence of From Dusk till Dawn; how they tried to convey visually the turn in the second half of the film; how small the crew was and how they handled PA work – including some interesting and funny stories that came out of the lack of crew; working with an on-set armorer – and the importance of safety on the set; the film and its second half explained fully by Mendez; seeing his film for the first time with an audience at Sundance; the action figure commercial – and a larger conversation about Mendez’s collection of figures; the casting of the young girl – and the problems with the violence, language and content, how that was approached with the parent; and much more. Mendez and Gingold deliver a wonderful informative commentary track.
Alternate Ending (3:48) – The alternate ending is actually shorter and without the additional reveal at the end.
Promotional Trailer 1 (2:37)
Promotional Trailer 2 [Bloody Version] (2:37) – essentially a Red Band trailer.
The Final Thought
For fans of Killers, Synapse has provided a truly wonderful disc with superior picture and sound.
Two escaped death row inmates get more than they bargained for when they take a family hostage in Killers. New to Blu-ray from Synapse Films.
The Film
Even if one does not like Mike Mendez’s Killers, one has to appreciate the visual construction of the piece. It’s hard for films to look like “films” which is the very problem with many lower-budgeted productions. Not here. Mendez’s film is visually sharp belying its lower-budget origins. The story construction and twists work beautifully.
Killers problem lies in the scripting/dialog and performances. The script by Mendez and star/producer Dave Larsen other than the plot is an unmitigated mess. The film made during the heart of the Quinten Tarantino indie movie boom is everything you would expect from a QT knockoff. The dialog has a post-modern spin ala True Romance or From Dusk till Dawn but comes off as wooden and insufferable. The first thirty to forty minutes of the film are filled with inane bits of “stylized” nonsense that fall flat and continues to fall flat until the second half of the film.
The reason the second half works so well is that it’s almost dialog-free. There are moments but thankfully are kept brief to focus on the action. This lands squarely on the star, the late Dave Larsen. His imposing nature on screen is belied by his stilted delivery of dialog. The performance through and through feels inauthentic. Any speech or dialog Larsen gives as Odessa James stops the movie narratively. One wishes that Larsen was given more takes or was given some help here in this wooden performance that only shines when the film has him doing anything action and physical on screen.
One wishes Killers with its clever play on the home invasion thriller, the film would have cast a more charismatic lead at its center. Understanding that this was invariably Larsen’s production, calling the shots on who was cast, the film was doomed from the first frame shot.
The Transfer
The original unrated director’s cut scanned and restored by Multicom Entertainment Group regardless of what one thinks of the film, the transfer is a marvel. The film looks beautiful on Blu-ray with the restoration done by Multicon retaining all the luster and glow of its 35mm origins. The transfer has a wonderful patina of grain that makes the transfer more filmic forward. The minor flecks of dust only add to the beauty of the Blu-ray making it feel like an archival print than just a digital file. Other than that minor note the film is free of any scratches or defects.
The Extras
They include the following;
The Audio commentary with director Mike Mendez and author/horror journalist Michael Gingold begins with the opening moments of the film and the lack of credits – which is something that Mendez says he’s done quite regularly. Some of the details include the other song that opened the film (it was a Doors song); casting the parents of the James Brothers; the casting process for the entire production; the reason why Christmas time setting; the real life figures that inspired the James Brothers; the films that inspired the film; how Larsen and Mendez began to collaborate and made Killers – using short ends from a failed production of Larsen’s, using locations they owned, and with the help of friends; where the financing came from and the loss of money; the passing of Larsen; Larsen’s love of Mickey Rourke and how that translated onscreen; a larger discussion of the visual prep he did for the film – including how he crewed up via AFI graduating class of the year; the hilarious way they accomplished the rain – without rain towers; how he approached the various monologue scenes to keep them visually interesting; the sex scene – and how it was accomplished; working in 35mm vs working in Digital; submitting and getting into Sundance with this film; the influence of From Dusk till Dawn; how they tried to convey visually the turn in the second half of the film; how small the crew was and how they handled PA work – including some interesting and funny stories that came out of the lack of crew; working with an on-set armorer – and the importance of safety on the set; the film and its second half explained fully by Mendez; seeing his film for the first time with an audience at Sundance; the action figure commercial – and a larger conversation about Mendez’s collection of figures; the casting of the young girl – and the problems with the violence, language and content, how that was approached with the parent; and much more. Mendez and Gingold deliver a wonderful informative commentary track.
Alternate Ending (3:48) – The alternate ending is actually shorter and without the additional reveal at the end.
Promotional Trailer 1 (2:37)
Promotional Trailer 2 [Bloody Version] (2:37) – essentially a Red Band trailer.
The Final Thought
For fans of Killers, Synapse has provided a truly wonderful disc with superior picture and sound.
Synapse Films’ Blu-Ray edition of Killers is out now
Share this:
Like this:
Discover more from The Movie Isle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.