Totally Killer

Like every other lazy writer - and I'm merely assuming here - I'll go with a summation that is wildly predictable and cliched for heaping praise on this new film from Amazon Prime : Totally Killer is totally tubular.

That alone should tell you what's going on here - another of those 80s horror/slasher/meta throwbacks that just may be tiring for many at this stage. For me, it's not been. Most I've enjoyed, even the remake of 'The Slumber Party Massacre' from a few years ago I still feel has a lot of redeeming qualities. Perhaps I've never tired of the trend because I was still waiting for the best of the bunch to arrive. Originally I felt 'The Final Girls' (2015) with Taissa Farmiga and Malin Åkerman was the high bar there, but 'Totally Killer' - while not perfect; it for sure has it's own issues to contend with - I think has surpassed it.

STRENGTHS:

- The way they deal with societal changes is pretty funny, and it's appreciated that overall they're simply put on for display and laughs. This is a comedy - no sides are taken - and I don't feel there was intention to endorse or oppose those generational shifts. It's equal opportunity - everyone will be mocked, as it should be - and that's exactly why it works.

- Max Headroom mask for the killer? This was LONG overdue.

- Smart framing at times, pulling the viewer into the scene more. A favorite was a scene towards the beginning where the killer seems to no longer be a threat, but when his victim moves oh so slightly in the frame, the entry & lunge back into the scene by the killer I found every effective.

- While nothing obscure musically, the soundtrack was well chosen and fits the film's vibe and atmosphere very well.

- The lead has Marty McFly qualities. Smart but scrappy. Takes control of situations, rightly or wrongly. Since this film rightfully has been called 'Back to the Future' meets 80s slashers (and I'd add in some heavy 'Hot Tub Time Machine' vibes), it was rather cool in my view to acknowledge it in this way. Even if it's very subtle (thats the strength), and perhaps not even intentional at all.

- Performances overall were strong and the characters had good and believable chemistry, even when we're talking about characters who may not have as much in common with each other due to their three decades of separation.

- While the movie is fun overall, the kills are actually quite intense. Not graphic, necessarily, but definitely intense. To what degree, that will vary from person to person.

WEAKNESSES:

- I needed a second watch, as on first viewing I felt the film fizzled out a bit during the second half, or really it's about an hour in when it starts to lose steam. But 'Totally Killer' starts off SO STRONG, and smart, that it's more than enough to still make it a strong recommendation.

- Sometimes Hollywood needs to come to grips that with some special effects, they're pumping out some that are noticeably worse compared to those from as far back as, ironically, the 80s. Most of the effects work here is fine, but a few are most definitely not.

- Some of the fight choreography was quite poor, to the point it looked like they were filming rehearsals. It's not that noticeable necessarily, perhaps nit-picky, and doesn't change my view of the film, but still .... do better.