I had high expectations for this Hobo, did it meet all of them?
Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)
Directed By: Jason Eisener
The Prologue
I think everyone at this point should know where we got Hobo with a Shotgun, right? The idea first came to a head after it was a winning fake trailer and got to be included in Grindhouse. Since then a few of those fake trailers got their very own full length movies, and a lot of people wanted to see a film about a..well, a Hobo with a Shotgun. Coming from the same people that gave us the short film, Treevenge, a short film I gave a 10 out of 10 to, I had a lot of high expectations going into this one. The fact that Rutger Hauer was cast as the Hobo only helped raise those expectations. But now since I’ve seen it, did those expectations get met? I can safely say some did. But sadly there was a few let downs here and there.
The Movie
An old Hobo rides a train into a corrupt town run by a crime boss named, The Drake and his two crazy sons. With everyone right down to the cops on this man’s payroll, the Hobo gets himself a shotgun and decides it’s time to take matters into his own hands. Along the way he befriends a pretty cute hooker, but has the old Hobo bitten off more than he can chew? One thing is for sure, all hell breaks loose involving blood, coke (the kind you sniff), hookers, the homeless, and um..even demons?? Hey, I never said the shark didn’t get jumped a time or two here now did I?
While I did like Hobo with a Shotgun, I’d be telling a lie if I didn’t say it wasn’t a bit of a mixed bag. But before I get to the bad, let me start out with the good. Because the good here in this film is very VERY good. Rutger Hauer does a grand job as the old Hobo. He adds a likeable side to the weird character and he adds just enough crazy to keep it interesting. A character that is a Hobo, and an old one at that, should be a little crazy above everything else. I could buy the man as a real life Hobo so I think it was a job well done for Mr. Hauer. Also, I must give props to Molly Dunsworth in her role as the kind hearted hooker, Abby. To spite being a hooker and all, she’s pretty likeable. But then again, aren’t all hookers supposed to be likeable? It would be counter productive if they weren’t right? None the less, the acting here is very good. I was pleased with that.
Also the meat and potatoes to this film is the over the top violence and gore! No CGI, just the good stuff here. After seeing Treevenge, I thought this might be the type of stuff we got in this film as far as the gore is concerned, and they didn’t let me down at all. Seeing as the film has a Grindhouse connection, you just GOTTA have tons of blood and body parts. And while it’s a very good quality and look overall for the film, the gore keeps it to that grimy level, even when the overall look it’s self might be a little too polished for such a film of this nature. Looking back on this film now, as far as the blood goes, I wouldn’t change a thing. Over the top gore is great in a film like this. It also helps cover up for the fact that the plot, while never really dragging, is rather played out and simple.
Now as for the bad stuff about this film goes, there’s just too much goofy stuff going on. A medic jumping up on a table and yelling, “LIVE YOU WHORE!!!” might sound funny, and seem funny when writing the script, but it just came out of nowhere and seemed very awkward in this movie when it happens. The film has several moments that come across awkward like that scene I just talked about. On top of that the dialogue is pretty awful in parts as well. I know these people are supposed to be scum, but the dialogue at times sounds like it is coming from 10 year olds that are just learning how to swear and learning the dirty terms for private body parts. It’s eye-rolling bad at times, but still, it doesn’t bring it down THAT much. But, it DOES bring it down a little…But, just a little. Still, it doesn’t spoil the movie as a whole.
The Conclusion
You get great gore, you get good acting, but the film is a victim of coming across silly, goofy, and a little too juvenile at times. I’d also say that the movie does indeed jump the shark towards the end when two “demonic” characters come into play. But what could one expect from a film titled, Hobo with a Shotgun? The good does outshine the bad here and you do get a good mindless fun and gory time that I recommend for anyone who loves anything to do with Grindhouse. Both the actual movie of that name, and the overall style.
The Rating (8/10)
Chucks website
