Gun Town Review
Written by: BlackTequilaKiss
Courtesy of aceofspades, I received my Gun Town DVD in the post just over a week ago and tonight finally decided to see what it was like. As it stands I loved it. Yes there are some flaws but it doesn't outweigh the fact it's better than a lot of other production I have seen out there.
In true style, the scope and scenery is beautiful as is the way it is shot. The actors for the most part are solid and the storyline is certainly intriguing. For the first ever film, it's better than a lot of other fare and I am certainly interested for another film.
Plotline:
Five friends embark on a road trip that promises to go anywhere. But when things start to go wrong and they end up with a flat tire, they are forced to reconsider plans. Coming across a small tourist attraction called Gun Town, they learn of the history and of the tragic problems thereafter. However Frank Bailey Senior who was sentenced to 30 years in a state mental facility is free and before long the friends find themselves fighting to stay alive before they too become part of the attraction...
Some of the best things about this film are quite simply the cinematography and the scenery graced in the movie. The sharpness of the colour, the aged wear and tear of Gun Town is brought to life vividly. In certain films the colour can be too harsh, in others it can be too dull, in this it lulls enough between the both without being neither. The tone is kept nicely and it adds to the overall quality.
I loved the acting of Weston Brann (Kevin), Joshua Harrison (Matt) and Lauren Hoffman (Tracy) with special mention to Lee Vervoot who is fantastic and took me by surprise.
Gun Town surprised me in a shocking way. Independent, Low budget, High budget movies always tend to keep the camera close and focussed throughout with only a few long pan shots to heighten tension. In this movie it's more a constant. The long pan shots are used often, hence the outdoor nature is more exposed. It looks gorgeous.
The lucid flow from the fields from yore to the isolated stretch of forest. It all captures the mood and tone.
Equally the soundtrack was strong, the scene in the bar with the five main characters having a laugh was a smile a minute, with the music I laughed a lot. Then when the moments lingered a little longer, the tone set was a gentle and embracing. Overall I thought the score was a nice little boost.
Frank Bailey Senior's mask was genuinely creepy. Reminding me a little of the Mike Myers mask and only seeing the eyes, it gave a chilling edge to Gun Town. Without the mask it could have been effective but with the mask it's more effective than ever.
I can't lie in terms of the effects, they are not that good. But it was never going to be amazing since it was done on such a budget but the way I see it is in this movie it's really the lesser thing needed. When used it did pull me away from the storyline but it's not a dominating factor, the defining thing of Gun Town is that it relies more on the old fashioned fear. Like the older horror films, the fear lies in the suspense and the thrill of the chase rather than the blood and guts so all in all, the effects are not such a factor but don't expect big things.
But overall this is a fun film. Yes the shoestring budget does hold it back a little and some of the actors leave a lot to be desired, but it's got spirit; heart and soul.
What really strikes me is I have fallen asleep to droll like The Unborn and still Gun Town kept me watching, listening and coiled in. That's what makes me know this is a film that will eventually become fonder in my heart with time and solid grace, that's what makes Gun Town a keeper.
With a bigger budget I look forward to seeing what Vervoort can bring to the table and I gleefully look forward to the next movie. Solid, enjoyable with some true gems, this is a movie everyone needs to see. Appreciate it this movie, buy it and support independent and creative directors.
A joy to watch with only a few minor quibbles. 6/10.