I remember reading some good things about this movie, and after a lot of wavering I picked it up about a month ago. But it was not until now that I sat down and watched it. I read the back of the case, and it sounded suspiciously like the very good film from Belgium, Man Bites Dog. It does have the backing of Fangoria magazine, so at the very least I was looking forward to some decent blood. Sadly, I must report that this film does not pay off in the least.
The beginning of the film is the best part about it, and really plays up the direct to video aspect of the production. It opens with stylized images that seem to indicate headlights and highway, while radio announcements play in the background indicating the escape of a murderer. We then shift to a diner, the waitress is cleaning up, then she hears a noise, she looks to see who or what it is when the escaped killer appears behind her. The gleam of a blade, a flash of crazed eyes, a screen filled with video noise and the scene suddenly shifts to something completely unrelated.
Therein lies the gimmick. You are meant to believe that the movie you just rented is not the movie that you are about to see. After the flash of noise we are confronted with Max. Max is pleasant, well groomed, and about to take you on the journey of his murderous life. You see, Max is a serial killer who enjoys what he does, and decides to document his path by bringing along a cameraman to record his exploits. He records, not just murders, but every day things, visits to his sister and her family, and also his day job as wedding videographer.
There are plenty of moments with Max turning to the camera to explain why he does this and what he hopes to accomplish with it. His escapades continue to escalate, to the point where he is involving his wary cameraman who is beginning to have second thoughts about taking the job.
The movie seems to want to make a statement regarding people's fascination with horror movies, and rubbernecking actual violence glimpsed in the real world. The problem is that Kevin Howarth's depiction of Max is not very good. The attempt seems to present him as a character to identify with, a nice guy who happens to do atrocious deeds, but he comes across as a pretentious moron who tries to justify his actions while offering no potential reasons for committing these acts, other than wanting to make this movie.
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