Overview
Welcome to hell.
Five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in an abandoned, Hell-like compound where they are forced to participate in a violent game, the goal of which is to survive twelve hours against a gang of sadistic clowns.
Review
I’m going to have to go against the grain on this one. 31 is one of Rob Zombie’s better films. The performance by Richard Brake as Doom-Head was worth the price of admission/rental. However, besides maybe Jeff Daniel Phillips as Roscoe, none of the cast of carnival workers really sparked much of a concern. Other than to root for Doom-Head and the other murderers to finish them off before regulation. But, damn, the nazi midget Sick-Head was a bizarre touch. Notice I didn’t go for the PC term there. Somebody with a swastika on their chest and a Hitler ‘stache doesn’t command me to step on eggshells not to offend thee.
Spoiler: So glad to see Sheri Moon Zombie get hers in overtime. I much prefer the believability of unhappy endings in horror films. There doesn’t have be to a sole survivor to have merit!
I must now go back and revisit some more Rob Zombie films and see how multiple viewings changes my perspective. To date, I haven’t been 100% thrilled with Rob’s cinematic career, but there is a definite brand of horror he pedals to the masses that is both edgy and respectable.
Rating: ★★★½ (out of 5)
