Red State: Sex, Religion, Politics.
Alright everyone, here is my first review! Sorry it is a little late but the holiday threw off my timing. I should have another review up tomorrow (going to try and watch the film once I am done posting this review) but I might have something different in mind. On a different note, I will be changing the site around a little bit and I am going to link up some of my colleagues work so you guys have some other reason to come to my site 🙂
Anyway let us get to the review!
Film: Red State (R)
Director: Kevin Smith
Year: 2011
Country: United States
Red State is one of those films that have been sitting in my queue for months now and I finally decided to give it a proper viewing. Red State is definitely not what I expected, but what could you expect from a director who has mainly dwindled in the comedy genre (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma)? I heard about Red State a few years ago when Smith was originally trying to release it out to markets but no one wanted to touch it, with good reason. Smith’s last attempt at opposing religious groups (Dogma) was received to much criticism, almost endangering Smith and his family. After much struggle Smith released the film on his own terms, and I am glad he did.
Red State is Smith’s attempt at the horror genre, but it definitely is not a horror film. The film starts with the traditional Kevin Smith humor, sexual innuendos and ridiculous profanity, but tangents into a entirely new film itself. The film opens on three young men (Michael Angarano, Nicholas Braun and Kyle Gallner) hell bent on getting laid by an anonymous woman on the internet. Once they meet her, they are tricked into becoming captives of a fanatical church, led by its pastor Abin Cooper (Michael Parks). Abin Cooper and his church are then confronted by a Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms special agent (John Goodman).
The casting choices for Red State are absolutely phenomenal. Michael Angarano, Nicholas Braun, and Kyle Gallner are perfect fits for the Kevin Smith stereotype for characters, I hated their characters so much but that is what they were there for. They were a depiction of the sexual aspects of our generation today. Michael Parks delivers a fifteen minute monologue that is absolutely persuasive, convincing the other characters to follow him like lambs to slaughter (excuse the cliche). Then we have the voice of reason, John Goodman. The voice of reason can come in any form, I just never figured that it would be in John Goodman. Goodman stood for the political aspect of the film, much because his major scenes resemble the ATF raid of Waco, Texas in 1993.
The film has its drawbacks and flaws, but overall quite an accurate representation of how religion, politics, and sex coincide in today’s society.
SCORE: 7.3 / 10 Stars
(Don’t like my review? Let me know in the comments below.)
Who am I? Just some guy who decided to start writing on the Internet years ago and now operates his own brand and site. Owner/Operator of Modern Neon Media, I make all kinds of niche content to suit my interests at the time. DIY Enthusiast, Brewmaster extraordinaire, and avid freak for geek culture. Follow on my socials for a more “on” version of me.
