TCM KILLS: AFTERLIFE (2022)
I watched this, the next entry in the 50-year old franchise, very, VERY reluctantly. Other than the brilliant original, I view the franchise that followed as mostly unpleasant. No joy to be had. Grim beyond belief - it's just not for me.
This one is apparently divisive - I'm excited to read the bashing it must be getting - but all in all, for what it is .... "it is what it is" ... "they don't make 'em like they used to" .... it's actually pretty good. Please don't misunderstand me: I didn't "enjoy" it. But it's well done - and I like that it had a Halloween Kills style of relentless, ridiculous, over-the-top kills. Living up to its name: TCM KILLS. And then the obvious comparisons to Ghostbusters: Afterlife with the kids - who I also didn't mind, contrary to public opinion apparently (which baffles me) - and, so .... now we're at TCM KILLS: AFTERLIFE.
And yet, it's well made. Within the horror realm it carves out its own vibe, it has a modern look and feel to it. At least to this old geezer's eyes. The kills are savage and unique. Even the wounds are savage. It's tied in with the original a bit, including the return of Sally Hardesty, the "final girl" of the original, and John "Dan Fielding" Larroquette stops in with some of that good ol' doom-laden narration. Good casting. Good score. Good, SHORT running time. Good cinematography. Enjoyed the closing credits. Oh and it's gory. Really, really gory. It's ... insane. It's .... intense. It bordered closely on sadistic, frankly - which I detest - but there's a level of humor there for me that makes it work. Not that it's humorous. It's just subtle, and enough to keep this from entering what I would consider "sadistic" territory. Or simply, unpleasant, as mentioned earlier.
It's an interesting way to come out of a film. I thought it was well done. I see the appeal. FOR WHAT IT IS - if ANYTHING, it's definitely an E for effort. And I'd say if you're a horror fan - definitely give it a look, it deserves a chance. These just aren't for me. LA DI DA.
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