The Devil's Rejects

...because if you saw 1,000 Corpses, or any other number of cheezy contemporary slash-action horror flicks you might have decided to pass this one up, if you weren't in just the right mood. I had shelved 1,000 Corpses in the same zone as Motel Hell - the kind of movies I love to pull out when I get in a need-something-sick-twisted-odd-and kinda silly horror sort of viewing mood (as opposed to the Lugosi/Karloff/Price/Hammer classic horror sort of mood). But I'm glad I gave this movie a chance.First off, the characters are so much more fleshed out (heh heh) in this second flick from Rob Zombie. Given that they are ALL warped in one way or another, what makes this film a hit is not the violence it's the convincing dramatic performances by the actors of these trashy, sick, obnoxious, immature, self engrossed yet weirdly loyal and familial characters. So there are priceless moments of "oh geez" hilarity. I disagree with the reviewers that cite the violence in this film as the source of the humor. I never got the impression that Zombie intended the scenes of mental and physical torture,blood and splatter to be a whole lot of laughs, or tongue in cheek, even. Check out the Aussie flick Dead Alive if you are looking for tongue in cheek hacking.No, I find the comedy comes from the smart aleky, down-home-ignoramus-esque behavior and commentary of the characters, most of which are at very best corrupted by vengeance or sycophantic and cowardly, and at worst are (of course) violently deranged. And then there is the filth-dwelling Captain Spaulding who is the best twisted hoot of the entire disgusting bunch, just as he is in 1,000 Corpses. Though he's nasty, somehow you just want more Captain Spaulding.Next, the setting of the film in the 70's, complete with appropriate soundtrack, contributes delightfully to the very close to home trailer trash atmosphere Zombie has created. The dumps Zombie selected for shoots were perfect for making the era believable. You can almost smell the stifling fog of cigarettes, lysol, moldy refrigerator, and stale beer that's permeated the shag carpeting and faux wood paneling of some of the scenes.This is not your average slasher film, not a silly re-hash of teen themes (thank you Rob!). It's definitely a worthy cut above. It's a nice change in what's become a rather formulaic genre of late because it is so well acted and written. Viewers are spared from overly drawn out run ons of chop chop splatter splatter because there's - "well _____ the bed!"- actually good acting and dialog to enjoy.If you find yourself engrossed and wanting more of Baby, Otis, Mama Firefly and of course Captain Spaulding, then you can watch House of 1,000 Corpses as if it were a flashback or prequel, which in my opinion, makes that first film strangely better.Included with Devil's Rejects is a "making of" documentary which I also recommend highly. I'm hoping Rob Zombie continues to pursue making horror films of this type of thoughtfully intense dramatic quality - the industry needs it. There is just too much schlock out there, and not even campy, so-bad-it's-hilarious cult schlock. Just dull and boring (yawn) garbage targeted at a teen audience that needs something to do on weekends. If you've found most contemporary slasher-horror offerings shallow you'll be really pleased this film was made!

Wacky stuff. At first, I didn't know that Rob Zombie's "House Of 1000 Corpses" was actually the first movie in a, if you will, 2-part series, with "The Devil's Rejects" being the second movie. I must have seen "Devil's" a half dozen times before I finally learned that "Corpses" was the first movie in this 2-parter.Anyway, I like both movies very much. However, I think were I 'went wrong' was by watching "Devil's" (and so many times, no less) before seeing "Corpses first. Of course, as I say, I did not know the two movies were intertwined. That said, if you haven't seen either of these but were planning to, watch "House Of 1000 Corpses" first. You can get a better 'feel' for the Firefly family members before moving on the "The Devil's Rejects" second. (Since I made the 'mistake' of watching "Devil's" first, I think I can safely advise to watch "Corpses" first instead).Either way, Mr Zombie does seem to have a real nack for this kind of genre. It seems to me he truly knows what he's doing. He's no amateur when it comes to this type of flick. Sheri Moon Zombie (his real-life wife) is also well cast here and does an incredible job as a "don't care 'bout nuthin, low-life who'd just as soon carve you into bite-size pieces as look at ya". Might add, she's pretty easy on the eyes too. Actually, a very pretty girl. In "Corpses", Karen Black played Mother Firefly where as, in "Devil's", Leslie Easterbrooke play the part. Some viewers claim they liked Karen Black better and some liked Leslie Easterbrooke better. Both were good but again, here too, it might help to watch "Corpses" first. All characters will extremely well cast and did an unbelievable job. Sheriff Wydell (played by William Forsythe) was da bomb!! This guy was GOOD! He was bad. A real bad sheriff. But he was some damn good at being bad.The list goes on. But with a creeped-out family of, well, who knows what they are, by the names of Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie) and Otis (brilliantly played by Bill Moseley), how could you possibly go wrong! Or do I even dare ask!Of Note: Also in "Devil's" is Priscilla Barnes (Terry Alden from "Three's Company"), P.J. Soles from the original "Halloween" (with Jamie Lee Curtis) and the always excellent Geoffrey Lewis who has appeared in more movies and TV shows over the years than we could ever recount. You may remember him from a number of Clint Eastwood's movies. He is also the father of American actress and singer Juliette Lewis.If this genre of movie is your cup of tea, these both are a lot of fun. "Devil's" is also a 2 disc set. Be sure, AFTERWARDS, to watch the "making Of Devil's". But do this AFTER you watch the movie first. You get a really good look at what makes Rob Zombie tick, all that they went through to make this movie and you also finally get to see that, he's actually a nice guy. A regular guy.