Full transparency, I know director Geno McGahee. I met him in a terribly embarrassing way. I reviewed a film of Geno’s years and years ago called RISE OF THE SCARECROWS and I slagged it in a really petty, mean-spirited way. He was good enough to reach out to me after to thank me for the review. We became friends and have remained that way. Me knowing Geno doesn’t change how I review his films, but I wanted to give him a spotlight for a second as someone who was secure enough in what he’s doing to understand a bad review and not get nasty in return.
I dunno that I could do that with my books, I will say that.
On with the review.
There is something to be said with buy-in on a film. The cheapest film in the world gets markedly better when the actors believe in the film and a blockbuster can crumble if people don’t buy in (see THE HAPPENING for that). One of the strongest elements of DARK WALKER is that the actors buy into the film and it shows. But how is the whole movie?
SCARY TALES – Dark Walker finds four strangers who have all been thrust into a situation they have no way of understanding. They have been kidnapped by what seems like a shady government organization and put together, but why? When the foursome are gassed by the strange group they wake up in an isolated home and discover they are surrounded by impossible creatures that each has run into before in some way or another. As the strangers try to figure out what is happening the horrors descend on them and they must band together and fight back or none of them will make it home again.
The movie starts off with a great opening that I really wish was more than just a set up for the rest of the film. The chemistry and acting is fantastic and it really brings you into the film. As the main story gets going though it’s a little confusing trying to figure out how that opening matches up with these new characters and story. While the writing can be a little corny at times the actors are all in and make it work.
The core notion of the film is an interesting one, though I wish it was fleshed out more. Filmmaker McGahee does a great job of building atmosphere and the film is very well shot. There’s definitely a propulsive energy to the film that keeps things from getting boring.
The biggest knock I can give on the film is that we see some of the creatures (aliens) so much that it cheapens them. This is the only are where the budgetary constraints really show and it does hinder things.
Truth be told though, it’s a fun movie with a really interesting idea and some good performances that is well shot. I can see why it’s getting a lot of eyes on it. McGahee makes movies that are fun, strange, and go for it. In a time when so many filmmakers play it safe and obvious, he makes crowd pleasers. I wish the connective tissue of the film worked better but it’s still a fun watch with some neat ideas.
I may not have loved it but a lot of folks will, and with it being on Tubi, it’s easy to see for yourself.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30423160/
3 out of 5
The Spooky World of Chris Ringler 