[ad_1]
Driving dwelling from the theater, taking within the stunning Austin sundown tonight, I sort-of relished in the truth that I used to be gonna get to jot down my first dangerous evaluate of 2023. All the flicks I’ve seen prior to now few months have been above-average to nice. It’s been kinda boring and I’ve began to suppose that I could too agreeable to have any enterprise writing film evaluations.
Then ‘Renfield’ falls into my lap.
Granted, it isn’t the worst film I’ve reviewed for Korked Bats. Hell, it’s not even the worst vampire film I’ve reviewed for Korked Bats (‘Morbius’ will get that distinction)—however I can say that it actually didn’t meet my already low expectations.
So should you’re on the fence about whether or not or not you need to see ‘Renfield’ listed below are 3 Huge Issues to think about:
1. Nick Cage unhinged is simply good for America
Alright, let’s go forward and get the good things out of the way in which first. Nick Cage is implausible within the movie as Dracula. He’s completely unhinged and it’s clear that he’s having the time of his life. From a efficiency standpoint, he’s the one actual vibrant spot aside from possibly Brendan Scott Jones’s character of Mark–the co-dependency assist group chief who delivers possibly the funniest line within the movie (which sadly was already featured within the trailer). The movie is solely not practically as enjoyable when Cage isn’t there, which is really disappointing given the forged contains a few of my favourite comedy-actors (Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Nicholaus Hoult, and so on.).
It’s additionally very clear that Nick Cage is really a scholar of movie, as there are moments the place it really looks like he’s channeling Bela Lugosi’s Dracula. It’s actually a extra over-the-top and eccentric model of the character, however you can’t deny that Cage is paying tribute with this portrayal. Is it Nick’s finest efficiency since ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’? Individuals are asking.
2. ‘Renfield’ appears to be having an identification disaster
The films tries it’s hand at quite a lot of various things, and sadly doesn’t succeed at any of them. It’s tries to be a comedy, however different that a number of effectively timed traces, it actually struggles to be humorous. It tries it’s hand as being a vampire-horror, however loses it’s concentrate on Renfield’s dynamic with Dracula and grow to be extra about his relationship to the surface world. It additionally tries it’s hand at being some model of against the law film with crooked cops and drug sellers besides, nevertheless it’s poorly woven into the primary plot to the place it will get complicated and appears pointless.
It pains me to say it additionally, however Awkwafina taking part in a rogue-maverick cop and Ben Schwartz taking part in a drug-lord merely doesn’t work. The film depends an excessive amount of on making an attempt to make them humorous in roles and so they simply don’t match effectively at effectively. Actually disappointing contemplating that 9 occasions out of 10, I find it irresistible when both of them present up in something.
3. Gore as comedy virtually by no means works
It’s considered one of my greatest pet-peeves in all of movie. Exuberant gore in an effort to get laughs. I’m not morally against it…I simply suppose it’s low-hanging fruit. Sadly in ‘Renfield’ it appears to be the schtick of selection–to the purpose the place I began to tune-out or roll my eyes in direction of the top of the second act. I’m positive there are many folks on the market who suppose extreme gore is hilarious, however these persons are peasants who don’t understand it’s only a crutch…one which this movie leans on a bit to closely.
So I gained’t mince phrases: ‘Renfield’ is my least favourite film of 2023 thus-far. I do suppose there may be an viewers for this film, and I think about I’ll hear a number of dissenting opinions, nevertheless it’s a sub-par movie that couldn’t entertain me in any significant manner. Nick Cage will get some love, however aside from that I don’t suppose I can advocate this one.
VERDICT:
2/5 Swedish Fish
So what do you suppose? Remember to holler at us on Twitter (@korkedbats; @thecineboiz) and Instagram (@korkedbats; @thecineboiz)
Additionally, you’ll want to comply with Korked Bats on YouTube and subscribe to The CineBoiz Podcast wherever podcasts are discovered!
[ad_2]
