A new Bigfoot movie graced the small screen recently for all the enthusiasts passionate about cryptozoology lore, while definitely fitting into the arena of crude, rude, and non-political correct humor, fret not the gore and blood splatter turns brown woods into a red mess. Coming from production company Movie Mafia Productions LLC and not worrying or caring about some studio executive bean-counter looking over everyone’s shoulders the filmmaker created what horror fans always wanted in a horror flick, lots of T&A and blood, with quirky dialogue, presented in a blitz fashion on the screen. What some viewers many not know, this movie was originally banned and removed from Amazon Prime due the content, curious why, more on this later, it’s a doozy. As a reviewer, the director sent me a screener of the uncut film, which will not influence me in providing a bias review, never has before with 500 written, but I’ll try to avoid spoilers. Tony Jenkins makes his feature film debut after a series of short films, but also working from his original story concept and penned the script, as well as having a lead character role in the film. He also worked alongside Jarrett Bigelow, Billy Blair, Araceli Jenkins (Charlie Charlie [2016]) on the story’s conceptual design.
There’s a massive sasquatch and or Bigfoot subgenre laid in a long dormant slumber of the ‘70s, it had minor stirrings in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but it wasn’t until 2000’s when the creature stirred ready to reclaim the wilderness. Some might recall Abominable (2006), Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes (2012), Exists (2014), and Primal Rage (2018); actually a full list quite impressive of all the scenarios created for the screen. However unlike them, this movie infuses some Troma-like moments, especially when it comes to certain removal of body parts, alas I’m getting ahead of myself.
The story starts out with two hunters heading out to Cherokee Creek to catch Bigfoot, one a hunter, with research and a plan and the other well, that’s Cletus, who appears as a dimwit, needless say we the viewers learn a few rules but these two heroes, well we know what happens in horror movies. It quickly switches to three guys hatching their plan for a kidnapping in a van just something a little off about it, Jarrett (Justin Duncan (Anna [2017])) can’t stop watching porn on his phone and the two swapping stories about sexual conquests. Quickly enough one discovers the true reason for the kidnapped, unfortunately have to reveal this spoiler as to make any sense in the review, it’s all planned for the bachelor party full of beer and debauchery. Hence friends Jinx (Todd Jenkins (Knucklebones [2016])) and Vinny Blades (Billy Blair (Dead Awake [2016])) just wanted to give their good friend Pat (Justin Armstrong [Ghost Note [2017])) one last night of freedom, before he surrenders his manhood. Other friends join in on the fun, and a park ranger Nellie Sciutto comes along to shut it all down before joining in the insanity. Blair’s portrayal of Vinny as an action movie star, with discussions of autographs, conventions, and just as a ladies man and almost steals scenes he’s in frequently. Pat’s hypocritical controlling bride-to-be Caroline (Olivia Sabini) is in on the plan, but demands no drinking or strippers, yeah right, this isn’t kumbaya. There’re some long-winded discussions which pad times, it involves the character Chad (Jeff Swearingen) as that annoying person in horror flicks and Pat slowly gets into the mood, and discussing Bigfoot myths and theories. Quickly the booze flows and so do the strippers in more ways than one Lacie (Ashley Moore) and Bambi (Natasha Richards). This all works to develop a quicker pace in Act 2 and 3, thankfully, that includes some softcore graphic moments, not full-on porn, but the movie does present equal rights of full-frontal nudity of man and woman. In addition, a twisted disgusting scene, brutal killing, dismembering and all of it in practical effects mode with the movie focusing on outrageous behavior as well as memorable moments.
Let’s first discuss why Amazon pulled the film from their site for offensive content, this actually comes from the intro and outro of the movie where films appear with ski-masks and prop guns ranting about the pirating of movies, a real threat which impacts the bottom-line for all cinema and entertainment. This display, while partially comedic and sarcastic does translate a true sense of urgency to define the art, however the powers to be found it tasteless, hence the filmmakers used the “banned” film as a great marketing tool, but since then they removed those portions it is now reinstated on Amazon. As for the film itself, a stellar movie, a few padded moments of excessive dialogue but nothing that takes away from the flick, Jenkins and Blair have exceptional chemistry, followed by a many, one-liners, sometimes wondering if a few times if not actually ad-libbed. The Bigfoot creature, excellent display of the beast, they never present a full display too quickly, glimpses yes, which the style hints back to Them (1954) style of hiding the hideous menace for as long as possible. In addition, special effects work nicely, not perfect, but when you have bodies becoming ripped open, torn apart to hell and back.
I actually enjoyed this movie, it has a lot going for it, it reminds one of the new wave horror movies that contain comical lines, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010), Night of Something Strange (2016), and The Night Watchmen (2017). This movie brings violence, insanity, gore, rude behaviors, and all of it works wonderfully, it is a wickedly fun, recommended for a group of friends to watch and learn to never mess with a Bigfoot.
https://www.facebook.com/cherokeecreekmovie/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6231784/
IMDb Rating: 4.0/10
Baron Rating: 4.5/10