"Bruiser" is George Romero's worst film to date. It's been nearly a decade since the last time he went behind the cameras (1993's "The Dark Half"), and judging from the results, it might be another decade before he puts anything else out. If this is the best he can do, he should consider retirement.
Rarely have a cult director's fans waited so long to watch so little. Romero's work is usually pretty decent at least, but this is a joke. Underneath this tedious mess, there's the germ of a good idea or two. Issues of identity and modern-day shallowness are treated in a ponderous, superficial manner. There's little excitement or tension to be found, and at times, one actually forgets this is meant to be a horror movie instead of a standard revenge pic.
Peter Stormare, as Flemyng's boss, is trapped in the most thankless role in the film. His character is overbearing and obnoxious in the extreme, and the viewer is tempted to send him some mail bombs so that he may never torment us again.
The climatic rock concert is a low for Romero, and only exists to promote some band. Come on, the guy who gave us the brilliant "Dawn of the Dead" is reduced to this?!?!?
I will only forgive this transgression if Romero gets his act together and makes "Twilight of the Dead."
* (out of ****)
Released by Le Studio Canal Plus through Lions Gate Films
Rarely have a cult director's fans waited so long to watch so little. Romero's work is usually pretty decent at least, but this is a joke. Underneath this tedious mess, there's the germ of a good idea or two. Issues of identity and modern-day shallowness are treated in a ponderous, superficial manner. There's little excitement or tension to be found, and at times, one actually forgets this is meant to be a horror movie instead of a standard revenge pic.
Peter Stormare, as Flemyng's boss, is trapped in the most thankless role in the film. His character is overbearing and obnoxious in the extreme, and the viewer is tempted to send him some mail bombs so that he may never torment us again.
The climatic rock concert is a low for Romero, and only exists to promote some band. Come on, the guy who gave us the brilliant "Dawn of the Dead" is reduced to this?!?!?
I will only forgive this transgression if Romero gets his act together and makes "Twilight of the Dead."
* (out of ****)
Released by Le Studio Canal Plus through Lions Gate Films