I often know a little about the movie I’m about to see, from either the title, artwork, or some summary, however this time I was funneled information of the killer soundtrack and a ton merchandise lines, but the only thing I truly knew was it contained the word psycho and a reference to the topic of gore. Therefore, after watching this insanely, goofy, gory comedy surrounding a villainous superpowered creature with references to The Guyver films from 1991 and 1994. Steven Kostanski, known for Father’s Day [2011] and The Void [2016] tackles both the directing and writing duties, exceptionally well, even though the plot is at times thin. The film had a fine and well-represented budget, able to display a multitude of practical effects with plenty of blood splatter and that’s thanks to Raven Banner Entertainment and received distribution with RLJE Films for theatrical and Shudder on the VOD in the USA but recently acquired international release.

For one to understand and find a luxury of entertainment they’ll need to return to their childhood for certain parts, namely playing made-up backyard games complete with nonsensical rules, because without it become far too much for one to enjoy. However, that is one-part, next is the sheer pleasure given to the gorehounds and splatterpunks this movie will feed the hunger. It begins with an older brother and younger sister Luke and Mimi (Owen Myre and Nita-Josée Hanna) playing a fictional game called Crazyball, which is filmed with slow-motion action sequences and an intense shredding metal backdrop of music. Spoiler alert, Mimi wins, and fair warning her character will work some viewers’ nerves, due to her demanding no consequences attitudes, nevertheless she’s the more aggressive child. Luke loses and needs to bury himself and discovers a gemstone, which Mimi claims as her property. By uncovering the stone, it awakens “The Archduke of Nightmares” who the children later rename PG – Psycho Goreman (Matthew Ninaber (Death on Scenic Drive [2017])) and makes Mimi the owner of him; too. PG was imprisoned in the earth for his unruly power to destroy worlds by an alien alliance when he meets the children, he spews the same villainy that is often mentioned in dark fantasy films, the listing of his awesome past victories, but herein it just bores the children. At this point, there’s the show of PG unbridled force, turning a playmate into a googly-eye brain creature, a police officer Vince (Robert Homer (Bio-Cop [2012])) into a deformed mutant/mindless zombie, and even has a full assault with other creatures which resembles a battle from Guyver 2, except full-on blood splatter effects; done effectively well.  It leads up to everyone accepting Mimi and her extreme deadly warrior, although there’s a strange and perhaps misplaced marital stress between their parents Greg – Dad (Adam Brooks (Another Wolfcop [2017])) and Susan – Mom (Alexis Hancey) their father is more in league to go along with PG while their mom’s natural instinct to serve for caring and protection. Meanwhile as PG keeps causing trouble the aliens in a distant galaxy what the insanity and craziness, which has some comical moments especially feature Kortex (Matthew Kennedy (The Void [2016])).  All ratchets the lunacy and fantasy to the final battle with PG and zealot/robot angel Pandora Psycho, who had originally imprisoned him, it’s a zany battle, which just asks you to leave your rational mindset behind and embrace your inner child.

The film contains some silly dialogue, but the point is to take it all in stride, as if playing a children’s game with made-up rules, and while a lot of action sequences work and there’s a few that don’t such as Luke’s nightmare dream, that involves both PG watching him and zombies trying to claw their way to him. The scene is odd, slightly choppy and overall misplaced. There’s plenty of references to films, from The Gate [1987], some moments touch on Goonies [1985] and lastly the fondness of The Monster Squad [1987]. As for the effects, they consist of a smorgasbord of faces melting, bodies are simply torn in half, explode, slashed and slaughtered and wonderful send-up of b-movie heaven, as if all these delights came from the makers of Troma due all the gooey pieces covering everything. This is loaded with over two hours of special features, and contains one item that wish more filmmakers encouraged, that is a character interview, here that’s with Kortex, a fine devious alien. This was delightful, not many include this, often they incorporate the bloopers reel (which there isn’t) is discussion is at times political but that coincides with his position in the film, the actor does a great performance of staying in his character and allowing it to express itself freely. The only other letdown in the extras, comes from repeat of scenes in both Fight Choreography and Fight Pre-Viz which follows it.

One thing that makes this movie very refreshing aside from all the blood, guts, and gore galore, is that children are at the heart of this story, though Mimi will work on your nerves, which I believe is done for everyone to root for her downfall, whether that happens or not, I’m not saying, sometimes one needs to discover the sickness for themselves. Needless to say, the movie covers a lot of genres comedy, action, and horror, but to fully enjoy return to your childhood.

TAGLINE: Little girl. Big psycho.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11252440/

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Baron’s Rating: 6.0/10