Playback (2011) Review

Spooky videotapes and demonic curses are recycled in Michael A. Nickles’ latest offering, “Playback”.

Julian (played by Johnny Pacar) and his group of friends study journalism. For a class project, they begin digging up old news on a murder which occurred fifteen years ago. As secrets unfold, Julian learns the local town “legend” of an old film maker who went by the name of Louis le Prince. Legend has it that Louis could capture people’s souls behind the lens. Julian soon realises that le Prince is more than just a legend upon discovering that both the murder case and the evil filmmaker may be connected.

This brings me to my first problem with the movie. As I write down these words, I acknowledge that watching “Playback” was as tiring as it sounds. The opening hook left me with a sense of dread; it really set me up for a nice, disturbing, original movie. My interest began to waiver soon after. Curses, research, haunted videotapes and emphasis on the current media era (which to me has been pedestalled as THE modern horror cliché); sound familiar? The writing feels uninspired. I just couldn’t find anything to hold onto. Take away the evil doll from “Child’s Play” and add a haunted videotape and there’s “Playback”.

Although there’s an ambitious use of additional red herrings and twists, I’d seen these characters before, in countless teen horror movies from a time long gone. There’s actually a scene that has ‘the token black guy’ revealing the town’s wicked little legend. There were a few moments where the movie borders on satirical. I’d first like to point out that beautiful weirdo Quinn, one of the movie’s main characters, is supposed to be fifteen years old. Yet Toby Hemingway, the actor who portrays him, is thirteen years Quinn’s senior. Yes, the casting for Playback suffers from Dawson’s Creek syndrome.

A pleasant sense of nostalgia swept over me when Christian Slater appeared, only to be dashed when he’s used strictly as a minor Police character who moonlights as a Peeping Tom. This raw energy that dazzled in “True Romance” and “Interview with the Vampire” appears to of lent his talent in order to collect a paycheck. There’s actually a scene where his character; Frank Lyons, is being talked down upon by his boss. I don’t intend on spoiling it, but I actually pondered whether the dialogue was added into the script for the sole purpose of belittling Christian Slater. Maybe I was reading too far into things, but it darkened my heart. I felt bad for the guy.

I don’t know what else to say really. The writing is over ambitious. Though the acting is fine, the characters themselves are hollow. The music score and the film’s editing could of done with a bit more work, although the special effects and make-up were handled well. As were the kill scenes; which prevent “Playback” becoming an eye-sore.

My advise would be for the intermediate horror fans to give this a miss, you won’t find much here. However, if you’re yet to of schooled in ‘Horror 101’; if you missed that whole era when the genre overflowed with Japanese inspired murder mysteries or when killing and voodoo rituals slashed side by side, then you may find some solace whilst watching “Playback”.

Playback is available now via V.O.D, and there’s speculation over a cinematic release date in the U.S.A of March 9th.

Ry’s rating – 1 out of 5.