If you have ever seen a documentary or news report featuring Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, then I'm sure you are well aware of how bat shit crazy they are.
Kevin Smith' first adventure into horror tells the story of three highschool guys who use 'The craigslist for people who want to get laid'. They meet up with a woman who they believe wants to sleep with them but its ends with them being drugged and dragged off to a church where the church members intend on doing the lords work by executing sinners.
The church is quite obviously based on the Westboro Baptist Church but go by a different name, There is even mention of the Westboro Baptist Church and how they are not murders, Possibly an early attempt at avoiding a law suit?
After seeing the trailer, I expected the movie to be quite gory but too my surprise quite a lot of the violence is done in a subtle way yet carrying on the dark feel of the film. In fact, a more graphic approach to some of the deaths may have made the film slightly more gripping.
If you are familiar with any of Kevin Smith' work you will be well aware that he has always been a comedy writer/ director with titles such as Clerks 1 & 2, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and many more and that comedy background pokes its way through to add a sense of humour to the film that may seem almost misplaced at some points but nonetheless I, and clearly the audience, enjoyed very much.
I had a feeling early on that the film was going to end in an extremely predictable way, I was very wrong. The ending was unexpected and once again added a sense of humour to an otherwise serious situation which, once again, received a huge reaction from the audience.
Their were several quality performances from cast members including and outstanding performance by Michael Parks as Abin Cooper.
Starring Michael Angarano, Michael Parks and John Goodman, Red State hits cinemas in the UK on the 30th of September and if you get the opportunity, I would highly recommend you go and see it.
