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Final Girl - Movie Review

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4 stars

In the opening scene of Final Girl, a little girl talks rather openly about herself and her feelings, acknowledging that both her mother and father are dead. This fact, disturbingly enough, does not bother her nor does illicit any emotion from her. Shit happens, she says. The unshaven, cleanly-dressed man interviewing her continues his questioning and then hands her a maze to complete. She does so in seconds flat. With a smile pursing on her lips, she asks for ice cream and the man across the table promises that there will always be ice cream available to her.

Always.

Taking the horror convention of the last female standing and flipping it on its rear end, director Tyler Shields’ presents an unrelenting vision with his release of Final Girl. The film, after being shelved and other long delays, finally arrives in theaters and, oh boy, is it ever loaded with some intensely striking moments that, depending on your tastes, will have you seeing stars. There is NO static shot in the movie. It is all stylized and all worthy of the amount of attention you’ll give it. In this day and age where the war against women seems to be unyielding, Final Girl, which sees a 16-year-old turning tables on a group of axe-carrying, violent young men, embraces the moment to say something of visual importance.

For me, Final Girl is an often brilliant debut from a filmmaker who deserves to be recognized. I am apparently in the minority here. This does not bother me at all as I can confidently recommend Final Girl and its expressively-lit nighttime shoot to ANYONE with an interest in the construction of a movie. With its bold vision of blinding lights, tall shadows, and minimal set design, Final Girl is a movie that begs for multiple viewings.

Starring Abigail Breslin and Wes Bentley as William, her mysterious trainer for all these years, Final Girl is hot on the trail of some popular young boys who hide their dark sadism from their mothers and girlfriends. Set sometime during the 1950s, almost every night this group of charismatic young men dress up in suits and ties to lure young, blonde women into the woods with the intention to hunt and kill them. Little do they know – when they target Veronica (Breslin) as their next victim – that their day of reckoning has arrived.

Breslin is both playful, coy, and dangerous in this movie. She definitely shreds her past image here with a performance that is close to something seen in a Tarantino film. Her approach to the role of the killer in training is pretty damn impressing as she challenges Jameson (Alexander Ludwig), Daniel (Logan Huffman), Nelson (Reece Thompson), and Shane (Cameron Bright) to a fight to the death amidst the tall trees and stark moonlit night surrounding the movie.

While Shields and screenwriter Adam Prince don’t bother with an explanation of why William is training Veronica or who he works for, Final Girl is far from the frustrating experience so many others are claiming it is. It fulfills expectations and delivers on its promise to be something fresh and original. I have zero complaints about Shields’ debut film.

Originally shot in 2012 in Vancouver, Final Girl finally arrives in theaters this week with a limited release. It may not make the business it should but, as it is destined to be a cult favorite to enjoy with friends over a six-pack, you should not miss ANY opportunity to see it on the big screen so that you can brag about it years from now.

Final Girl proves that Abigail Breslin is Little Miss Sunshine no more.

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Final Girl - Movie Review

MPAA Rating: R for disturbing violent content, and some language
Runtime:
90 mins
Director
: Tyler Shields
Writer:
Adam Prince
Cast:
Abigail Breslin, Wes Bentley, Logan Huffman
Genre
: Action | Thriller
Tagline:
The hunted becomes the hunter
Memorable Movie Quote: "You Babylonian whore"
Distributor:
Cinedigm
Official Site: http://nasserentertainment.com/films/final-girl/
Release Date:
August 14, 2015
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
No details available.
Synopsis: A man teaches a young woman how to become a complete weapon. Later she is approached by a group of sadistic teens who kill blonde women for unknown reasons. The hunting season begins.

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