Twenty years ago, an independent film
maker named Kevin Smith gave us the film “Clerks.” It was a
quirky comedy that mostly took place in a convenience store, where
colorful characters exchange dialogue, and it was great. Since then,
Smith has gone on to make films like “Chasing Amy,” “Mallrats,”
and “Dogma,” continuing within the “View Askewniverse,” much
in the same vein as Tarantino's movie universe. However, that's not
to say he has had some bad films in the past as well...and “Tusk”
is one of them.
In the film, Justin Long and Haley
Joel Osment (yeah, he's still alive people) are podcasters that talk
about the hilarious weird shit of the world. When Long's trip to
Canada to interview someone goes wrong, he meets up with an old man
in a deserted area, in hopes of getting a story out of him. Things go
wrong, however, when the old man plans to turn Long into a walrus,
and it's up to Osment and Long's girlfriend to go to Canada and find
him.
I was loving the beginning of the
film, as it really built up tension in a very unsettling way. The
acting was also really good too, especially from Long and the old
man, played by Michael Parks. Those moments beforehand really made
for nail-biting tension, like you don't know what would happen
next...and then, it all when downhill from there.
What I mean is, the film stops its
interest by the time Long becomes a Walrus, as it just goes into
shock value syndrome. When Long finally becomes a walrus, it shows
you blatantly what it looks like, with no suspense building up to the
climax. It just turns into Kevin Smith's take on “The Human
Centipede,” where the horror aspect is all shock value. And the
walrus itself...let's just say it looks like a body suit, designed by
Leatherface. I will give credit for it being done with practical
effects, but that's about it.
The tone also shifts around
unnaturally when they try to add humor to the film, as we're
introduced to this private investigator, played by Johnny Depp. With
such a bumbling like character, it makes me feel like he was intended
for another film or something. I don't blame Depp for this, I just
felt like the direction wasn't right for a film like this. Not only
that, but the editing seemed off, as there are scenes shown that felt
tacked on, or if it was originally cut out, and then the editor
(being Kevin Smith) regretted it immediately after.
However, what made the film unbearable
was the ending. I'm not going to spoil what it is, but it is just one
of the most unpleasant endings I have ever seen in a movie. I would
have preferred if the ending was left ambiguous, but with the choice
they went with, I have to say I was displeased with it.
Overall, “Tusk” is a horror film
that I felt uncomfortable watching. While I did think that the acting
was good, as well as the build up, the pay off is what kills it, much
like a Stephen King mini-series adaptation.
Rating: 3/10
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