‘Red State’ – Kevin Smith’s Religious Action Thriller Is Not What You Expect [Sundance Video Blog And Review]
Kevin Smith’s new filmRed Stateis more than just a departure from his trademark comedic style. It’s almost a complete 180. The bright colors and pop culture references have been replaced with blacks, reds and long monologues about scripture. Smith’s still very reliant on the spoken word – almost to a fault – but now he balances it with machine guns, blood and hand held camera moves. This is a maturing, confident Smith who proves, afterCop Out, he still has a unique voice. WithRed State, that voice isn’t saying anything incredibly groundbreaking, and at times it gets a tad preachy, but the director has expanded out of his comfort zone and given audiences a genuine piece of art.
Read the rest of the review and watch a video blog featuring Peter Sciretta and Jeff Goldsmith ofCreative Screenwriting Magazineafter the jump.
Red Statebegins with a conceit that sounds very much like the Kevin Smith of old. Three friends, played byMichael Angarano, Nicholas BraunandKyle Gallner, decide to take out Mommy’s car because a girl on the internet has promised to sleep with them. And while Smith couldn’t resist throwing in some of his classic sex dialogue, this is noClerks 2donkey show. The boys are drugged and brought to a fundamental church called the Five Points ran by Pastor Abin Cooper (Michael Parks). Much like Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, which gets name dropped in the film, Cooper preaches that homosexuals are the devil and the world does everything it can to encourage their power. The boys who’ve been captured will be punished for the sins of the world and we’re lead to believe they aren’t the first, nor last.
After an intriguing opening,Red Stategrinds to a screeching, 10-15 minute halt when we first meet Cooper. Smith, as well as Parks, is obviously in love with this out-there madman and they relish their moment to introduce him in his element. So he begins to preach. And preach. And preach. Parks completely transforms into Cooper during this scene, but not even the best actor alive could be that captivating for that long. Once he addresses the caged boy in the room though, the film picks up the pace extremely quickly and remains tense throughout. Smith likes to callRed Statea horror film, but I’d more accurately describe it as a religious action thriller.
Yes, I said action.Red Stateis filled with death, violence and gun fire. And more death. Smith isn’t quite Michael Mann or even Michael Bay with his action scenes – there are a lot of medium shots of the actors firing machine guns – but they’re intercut with other examples of visual panache.
All the while, the film dances around the obvious closed mindedness of Cooper and the Five Points, who include characters played byMelissa LeoandKerry Bishé, but the whole thing doesn’t end up going where you think it will. The film’s conclusion is a series of surprising events that are simultaneously involving and thought-provoking
After the film, Smith announced that this is his penultimate work as a director. While it’s far from perfect, when he retires he can certainly be proud to have made something both surprising and thought-provoking.
The filmhits the road beginning March 5and will tour the country before opening more traditionally on October 19.
/FilmRating – 7 out of 10
And here’s the video blog starring Peter Sciretta and Jeff Goldsmith ofCreative Screenwriting Magazine. you’re able to alsoread David Chen and Peter Sciretta’s initial reactions here.
Note:In the video Peter says Red State is Smith’s best film since Jersey Girl — he actually meant to say Chasing Amy.
