The whole cast is great. C. Thomas Howell is brilliant as a director who hates his life and what the film industry has turned him into. James Duval plays two characters, you’ll find out why when you see the movie, but he’s equally convincing as both and hilarious the whole time.
Spain Willingham, who also co-wrote and directed the film from his story, is great as a ladder-climbing would-be-producer Hampton Rust. There are also a lot of wonderful cameos, my favorite of which is from Ray Wise, who plays a former Hollywood make-up artist who faked his death after messing with this mystical cream.
“…the monster make-up…is fantastic.”
On the technical side of things, the monster make-up, which is integral to Beast Mode, is fantastic. Michael Dinetz and his special effects make-up team did a bang-up job. The script, written by Drew Fortune, Chris W. Freeman, and Spain Willingham, is both witty and silly simultaneously. As mentioned before, the film owes a debt of gratitude to Troma Entertainment. A lot of the jokes and sight-gags would fit perfectly in a Lloyd Kaufman/Micheal Herz production. I also have to mention that the names they chose for the characters are all hysterical and whoever came up with them deserves a gold star.
Overall, I think Beast Mode is a worthwhile indie horror-comedy. It’s a breezy 80ish minute film that hits all the right marks. The story itself is original, even if the execution feels a little familiar. The actors all looked like they had a great time making it, and I had a great time watching it. If you love a good, silly horror-comedy with a heart of gold, this is right up your alley, and you should check it out.
"…couldn't exist without Troma Entertainment..."
