Brian Trenchard-Smith is a forceful, energetic, self-described “wacky” filmmaker whose kinetic style has leant itself quite well to such varied projects as the great The Man from Hong Kong, Night of the Demons 2, the silly BMX Bandits, and arguably his best film, The Siege of Firebase Gloria. He’s also been responsible for many dubious but undeniably entertaining schlockfests like Leprechaun 3 & 4 (the one in SPACE!) and Stunt Rock.
Here, he continues exploring themes from his earlier Turkey Shoot about rebels in a police state. Fortunately for the unfortunates, they’re not being hunted for sport this time around, but instead being held against their will for an indeterminate amount of time.
The concept is flawed, yet Trenchard-Smith makes it believable through sheer force of will. It almost comes off as a Bunuelian descent into the surreal. This is a fully-realized universe populated by punk rock misfits and extras from The Road Warrior who are revealed in impressively detailed dolly shots.
Anarchic and boasting an abrasive, snotty attitude, the film suffers from a severely underwritten co-lead and a seemingly random, late-stage anti-racism message. Frankly, it’s amazing much of it works at all, but Trenchard-Smith’s unapologetic approach elevates this bizarre material.
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