Axeman

AKA Axeman at Cutter's Creek

 

Director - Joston Theney (Bleed 4 Me)

Starring - Joston Theney, Scot Pollard (Destination Planet Negro), and Elissa Dowling (Dahmer vs. Gacy, Borderline Cult)

Release Date - 2014

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A vacation to dismember"

Format - Streaming (online screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Slashers will always be one of my favorite horror sub-genres.  It is no secret that the slashers from the late 70s and 80s are by far my favorite but I am always open minded to viewing any slasher.  The last few years has saw a rise in slashers attempting to capture the essence of the slashers from the 80s.  Though this is a glorious thing we sometimes get films that are not so glorious.  Recently, I was checking out online screeners over at Midnight Releasing and Brain Damage when I came across the film Axeman which was formerly known as Axeman at Cutter's Creek.  The film supposedly was a throwback to the slashers of the 80s so I had to see it.  I went into this one with an open mind but deep down I was doubtful for the film.  

     The film starts out with three crooks as they discuss what they should do with the money they recently acquired from what I assume was by illegal means in a secluded cabin in the woods. However, before they could agree on how to cut the dough they are attacked and brutally murdered.  We then jump forward and a group of thirty-somethings are visiting the cabin to party in an attempt to re-kindle their friendship.  Over the years a girl in the group has bounced from one of the men to another forcing the two men to harbor a grudge.  The group tries to salvage their friendship as the hulking menace kills them one by one until they discover the bag full of cash and try to flee with their wealth...and their lives

      Slashers from the 80s are more than just a cool looking poster and a killer stalking the woods. They incorporate style, clothing, score, sets, and even the kills.  What made these films so special is, indeed, the fact they were made in the 80s.  That is why these films have such a hard time getting their films to look the part.  An attention to detail is needed to get a modern film to look as if it really is an 80s slasher.  Axeman was said to be an 80s throwback.  That is far from the truth.  In fact, at no point does the film make an attempt to be an 80s slasher.  Even if it did it wouldn't make a bit of difference.  The film was unable to give the viewer anything new or fun and instead went down in a blaze of glory as a generic slasher.  The acting in this one is down the middle of the road.  The cast had the experience necessary to give amazing performances but they failed to try.  It honestly felt as if they lacked the motivation needed to make their performances believable.  The story for this one is one we have seen hundreds if not thousands of times.  A group in the woods are being slaughtered for doing immoral things.  The downside to this one is the killer is not wearing a fucking mask which is a necessity for any slasher.  Finally, the film does several kills with most of them taking place on camera but they are ruined with horrible CGI and visual effects.  Overall, Axeman is a film that fails to really deliver on the goods.  It does have a few praise points but for the most part it misses the boat.  It does deserve at least one viewing but that is it.