Review: VFW (2020)
Directed by: Joe Begos
Starring: Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Martin Cove
Written by: Max Brallier, Matthew McArdle
Music by: Steve Moore
Country: United States
Available on: 4K/Blu-ray/DVD (Image Entertainment)
IMDb
Director Joe Begos is a filmmaker that has gotten much better with each movie. His first two, Almost Human and Mind’s Eye, were both fairly watchable but completely derivative retro sci-fi horror flicks. His third, Bliss (filmed around the same time as VFW), was a huge step forward in terms of style and craft but featured one of the most obnoxious main characters I’ve ever been forced to watch for 90 minutes and was entirely too frenetic for an old dude like me. VFW is kind of an aesthetic companion piece to Bliss — both feature a similar color palette, gutter-punk ethos, and massive bloodshed. Where VFW improves is in the cast, which is pretty likable and features a number of veteran genre actors you’re likely to have a fond memory of. This is probably directly attributable to Begos not handling writing duties this go-round. Let’s just say his dialog and character development needs work. This movie, however, is paced well, not wasting too much time before getting into the mix, while still allowing a little breathing room every once in a while to get to know the characters a bit. There is some plentiful, well-done gore and Steve Moore’s retro synth score (mixed with just the right amount of modern metal) fits very well in this Assault on Precinct 13 and Escape from New York-inspired riff. Ultimately, I kind of wish there was a little more to the story, and that the punks facing off against the vets posed more of a threat. From the start, the bad guys felt woefully overmatched. And this movie is so damn dark — there are quite a few moments that are difficult to make out. But all in all, this was a good though not great movie that easily stands as Begos’ best work so far. He’s obviously got a high ceiling and someday soon he’ll make a movie that’s both viscerally and emotionally resonant.
Rating: 7 out of 10