Going into a film, I typically look for something that isn’t afraid to cross the lines and push some boundaries; because it is so rare that movies will actually do that in our corporate run, profit obsessed country these days. I feel that too many films take the safe route and try to appeal to everyone, which makes for a usually predictable scenario. Director Rob Zombie apparently feels the same way I do. In fact, growing up the only films he watched were the darker more sinister films that never pleased the audience. Taxi Driver and A Clockwork Orange are good examples of some of his favorites. So Rob is all too familiar with the over use of the PG-13 rating. As I prepared myself for his next film, The Devil’s Rejects. I knew it was going to be one for the ages.
A sheriff of a small town in Texas seeks the capture of a homicidal family. Otis, played by Billy Moseley and Baby played by Sheri Moon Zombie escape a police ambush and manage to continue their killing spree while the rest of their family suffer at the hands of authorities. The two siblings go on a rampage throughout town and later meet their father, Captain Spaulding, played by Sid Haig. The three continue to evade police until the anticipated showdown proves a bloody war.
If there was ever a film that only wanted to prove it could be the most sadistic, brutally sexually exploitive, blood and guts ridden film ever, without having a story line that mattered, The Devil’s Rejects would take the cake. It is one thing to be a rebellious filmmaker; it is another thing to just film bloody porn, because that’s all this is.
I understand the anger Rob Zombie endures due to all the sappy soft hearted films that have been released in recent times, but you must temper that anger and use it productively. Rob has not done that, he’s made a film that he thinks is a purely rebellious film, when in truth, it’s nothing but a mirage of bad story mixed with extreme unthinkable violence and gore. Yes, this film doesn’t please anyone, which is okay, but it’s not supposed to make people leave the theatre.
It’s true that films like Taxi Driver, a film of Rob Zombie’s interest, is not a crowd pleaser. It won’t make you smile or enjoy your day; however it will draw you in and attach you to the characters. The Devil’s Rejects characters, though well acted thanks to Sid Haig have no connection to the audience. We don’t care about this family of killers; we don’t care about this movie.
At one point you find yourself so uncomfortable watching this, you begin to nervously laugh and wonder why this film was ever made. Yes, this film is original as all hell, I’ll give it that. However, originality means jack when there is no purpose to a story ...
