Decampitated Review

Movie: Decampitated
By: Tonypulp
Date: October 16, 2011

Sleeping bag becomes body bag

Troma Entertainment has a rich history of sex, violence and plenty of laughs. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz became legends with titles such as ‘Toxic Avenger’, ‘Troma’s War’ and of course the one and only ‘Sgt Kabukiman N.Y.P.D’. It all started with the ‘sexy-comedies’ back in the seventies but the real success came with their goofy horror comedies. Lloyd and Herz had a sharp eye for silly new directors which brings me to the centerpiece of this review: ’Decampitated’, a delicious piece of old school horror/comedy.

Matt Cunningham (Mangler Reborn) is responsible for this hilarious late 90’s camp. Camping teenagers experienced their finest moments back in the 80’s when the slashers where a hot topic and the so called ‘camp-value’ was high. It was meant to be silly, over the top and based on (overplayed) stereotypes. Decampitated grabs the essentials of the campy slasher and shakes it around a bit, the outcome is stupidity at its finest.

It becomes clear from the very first moment that Matt has something in store for us. It starts off with a rather funny and ridiculous parody on the stereotypical chase scene in the woods involving some hard to miss bear traps. Rightly after we meet a small chunk of the victims as they are planning their camping trip. It is shown with some crazy wide angle lens shots and the impressive amount of self-mockery makes it a joyful and fresh start to a true love it or hate it slasher.

The film tends to get really awkward at some points. The close-up shots are really uncomfortable but they work in favor of the comedy part. Everything about ‘Decampitated’ feels like a cartoon. Not only are the actors overacting the actual overacting, they are also constantly supported by goofy sound effects and even sillier music. It makes up for a slap-stick like game of death with all of the genre clichés dangling around the forest.

Not every joke works and while I was nearing the end it felt like the best parts where already shown a while back. It kept repeating itself and even though I liked the style and silly approach, it knew how to get on my nerves at least a few times. Still, there’s no need to be to harsh on this film. Matt Cunningham tried something a little different. Although, he did stay pretty much right in line with what you’d come to expect from a Troma release.

The cast is doing a fine job at portraying an idiotic bunch of widely varying ‘friends’. Much like any other film released by Troma it has a distinctive set of characters. The surfer dude, the nerd, the idiot, the jock, a transvestite... the list goes on and on. Also, the killer is rather unique and funny in an odd way. He’s hopping around the forest, shooting arrows, chopping bitches down with machetes and setting out different booby traps.

Conclusion

It’s not one of their best releases but it’s definitely one that has to be seen by the Troma geeks such as myself. It has some nifty writing with a very personal sense of humor. Check it out and judge for yourself. One thing is for sure though, Decampitated will turn your sleeping bag into a body bag.