Viewed – 06 August 2011  Blu-ray

With a title like that, regardless of its quality, this had to be seen.  Rutger Hauer plays a homeless guy who arrives in a crime filled town, with dreams of beginning a new life.  But as he witnesses murder all around him and befriends a kind-hearted hooker (Molly Dunsworth), he realises he’s going to have to take matters into his own hands … armed with a shotgun.

This plays like a loving tribute to gore-splattered no-budget thrillers and horror movies of the 80s like The Toxic Avenger and The Hitcher, from the very opening credits (done in that straight-to-video schlocky style, complete with hummable theme tune and a garish, Technicolor canvas).  Hauer is on fine form as the grizzled hobo out to clean up the streets, blowing away bad guys and popping skulls like they were water melons.  Acting isn’t anything to write home about, and it clearly doesn’t need to be as the fun here is the outlandish violence and complete lack of regard for good taste or anything resembling subtlety.  Yet at times it goes too far, and granted it’s not meant to be taken seriously, but when we see a school bus full of kids get set on fire, I quickly realised this movie didn’t give a f***.

If going for a completely crazy, violent action packed movie that would entertain but not linger that long in one’s memory, director Jason Eisener has certainly nailed it … but if he was expecting this to become a cult classic, cool title and iconic star aside, its bad-taste reliance on gore, swearing and tits means it’s more likely to be demoted to the bargain bin.  A shame, because overall it’s a lot of fun, and I still managed to have a good time.

Verdict:  2.5 /5