Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007) Movie Info
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer |
| Release Year | 2007 |
| Original Title | Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer |
| Director | Jon Knautz |
| Screenplay Writer | Jon Knautz, Trevor Matthews, Patrick White |
| Story By | Jon Knautz, Trevor Matthews |
| Based on Novel by | — (Original screenplay) |
| Producer(s) | Patrick White, Trevor Matthews |
| Executive Producer(s) | — |
| Lead Actors | Trevor Matthews, Robert Englund |
| Cast | Trevor Matthews, Robert Englund, Rachel Skarsten, Daniel Kash |
| Genre | Horror, Comedy |
| Subgenre | Monster Horror, Splatter Comedy |
| Release Date | October 9, 2007 (Sitges Film Festival) |
| Runtime / Duration | 1h 25m (85 minutes) |
| Budget | Independent production |
| Box Office (Worldwide) | Limited theatrical release |
| Language | English |
| Country | Canada |
| Production Company | Brookstreet Pictures |
| Distributor | Anchor Bay Entertainment |
| Filming Locations | Ontario, Canada |
| Music By | Ryan Shore |
| Cinematography | Joshua Allen |
| Edited By | Rob Seifert |
| Production Design | — |
| Costume Design | — |
| Special Effects | Practical creature and gore effects |
| Makeup Effects | Extensive monster prosthetics |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 |
| Sound Mix | Dolby Digital |
| Format | Color |
| Themes | Anger management, trauma, heroism, monsters |
| Setting | Small-town industrial environment |
| Notable Trivia | Robert Englund plays a possessed professor instead of a traditional villain |
| Critical Reception | Positive cult reception for its practical effects and humor |
| Audience Reception | Strong cult following among horror-comedy fans |
| Awards / Nominations | Audience awards at genre festivals |
| Home Media | DVD, Blu-ray |
| Streaming Availability | Available on select horror streaming services |
| Sequels / Franchise | None |
| Franchise Type | Standalone monster horror-comedy film |
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Of all the genres of film, none is so hard to pull of as the horror comedy. When the combination of a genre dependent upon lightning fast timing and a genre devoted to establishing mood and atmosphere works, it is a wonder to behold (Shaun of the Dead). When it fails, it’s a mess (Creepshow III, Return of the Living Dead II).
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer I am happy to report falls resolutely into the first category. This is one of the most entertaining horror comedy hybrids I’ve seen since the aforementioned Shaun a movie that makes a legitimate effort to establish the character and his surroundings before leading the audience into an action paced, splattery coup de’ resistance of a finale.
It seems that plumber Jack Brooks (Trevor Matthews) has had anger issues ever since he watched his family get viciously slaughtered by a monster as a boy. Now an adult, he is in a pseudo relationship with a an overbearing woman classmate named Eve (Rachel Skarsten) , attends night school and makes frequent visits (invited or not) to his hapless therapist (Daniel Nash) where he vents his seemingly endless rage
His class (the subject seems to be chemistry) is taught by the kindly Professor Gordon Crowley (Robert Englund, in the best performance he’s given since he played the Phantom of the Opera back in 1989), who one night after class asks Jack to come by and work on some pipes which are giving him trouble at home. Jack agrees and in the course of the job unwittingly unleashes an ancient evil buried on the Professors property.
Soon enough Crowley gets infected by the evil and begins to transform, leading to a cataclysmic episode at the school. The class nay the entire world is in grave danger should this monstrous force go unchecked. But fortunately for everyone standing in the way of this growing threat is one very pissed off plumber!
Oh man, where to begin? I try not to gush about films, but this one has it all. Let’s begin with the acting. It’s pitch perfect. Matthews ( who also helped develop the story for the film) is engaging and extremely funny as Jack Brooks. His first two visits to the therapist provide some of the biggest laughs in the film as he launches into an increasingly angry rant at every suggestion the counselor makes. I also enjoyed the twitchy, sort of barely controlled way he tries to avoid letting his anger get the better of him when someone or something is annoying him.
Likewise, Englund is in top form. He really demonstrates his acting chops here and his transformation from benevolent educator to possessed host is alternately funny and creepy. Horror fans everywhere should delight in this top notch turn from one of our beloved genre greats.
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