Jack-O

Jack-O (1995)

Directed by: Steve Latshaw

Rating: 0 out of 4 Pentagrams  

Reviewed by: Jeff Deth

It was clear that this was going to be a bad film. I only hoped that some how there would be some redeeming camp value to it. None whatsoever to be found. Jack-O is an abomination. It’s horrifying only by way of its pathetic attempts at horror. Take bad and stack it on top of more bad and you create films like this. Bad acting, lame script, And worst of all, a laughable villain.

The filmmakers try to set up a ridiculous Halloween night premise to heighten the mood but it all comes off forced. The story bounces from present to past to tie together the story of the “evil” demon/warlock pumpkin-head.

A young boy and his parents are the main characters being stalked by Jack-O, apparently descendants of a family at war with the harvester. Of course it’s a group of partying teenagers that set off the latest killing spree by accidentally uncovering his grave. Things never get more interesting than this.

I honestly wish there was a sweet low-budget slasher about a scarecrow or a pumpkin-head killer. There have been plenty of attempts but its always rubbish such as this.  There’s just nothing to salvage this crap. The kills are all yawns. the effects scream, “we have no money but we’re going to do a severed head anyway!”  The actors, oh the actors. Not a believable line delivered amongst them. Even if the script were good there’s no getting around these hams.

There was really no hope for this at all. Even in a best-case scenario, it’s only a person like me who will sit through this derivative drivel. It just kills me that they pull out every tired cliché known and they have no irony about it whatever. They actually are trying to use this shit to scare people. I mean they actually thought this could be entertaining!? And there were actually three people involved with writing this thing. Huh? Luckily director Steve Latshaw hasn’t been given a seat since 98’. With a filmography that includes Vampire Trailer Park and Biohazard: The Alien Force he hits the 3 strikes and your out law. Or at least there should be a law. And did I mention the titles? Fucking balls! Jeez, I’m starting to lose my head here.

I can’t recommend this on any level unfortunately. It’s not because I have such high standards or am some kind of cinema snob. No, this movie just plunges far below my low standards to a level of utter banality. So I say, subject yourself to these horrors… if you dare!