FRIGHTFEST 2020 - VFW

VFW - Voltage Pictures

Joe Begos' VFW is a ninety-minute homage to all things John Carpenter and Video Nasties of the 1980s. A gory, gritty and ultra-violent romp that fills the void Carpenter left after 2010s The Ward.

Imagine the aesthetic of Escape From New York meets The Fog with a Running Man twist thrown in for good measure and you have the love child VFW. Everything involved here screams Carpenter loud and proud but even when the homages and Ode come thick and fast, Begos' film has a life of its own in an outlandish, boisterous personality that is not only entertaining but even in its bloodshed crafts an emotional attachment due to its connection to 80s cinema.

The latter of which is cemented in the fact that Begos casts 80s character actors in the likes of Martin Kove (The Karate Kid), William Sadler (Die Hard 2), David Patrick Kelly (The Warriors) and Fred Williamson (Delta Force Commando). It is a form of nostalgic, emotional blackmail that works wonders in the structuring of the film to drop its viewers in absolute terror, forming a tense and atmospheric vibe effortlessly. This is an attribute that allows Begos to fully commit to the ensuing dramatic violence on screen. 

The performances are not engulfed in any significant depth but through snippets of dialogue in the screenplay, VFW has a smooth and engaging insight into these characters. But if anything, the highlight here is the score from composer Steve Moore. Easily outstanding, the electronic synths are audibly stunning and the atmosphere crafted solely from the score alone is tremendous. Undeniably elevating this picture from a simplified homage to an entertaining standalone piece of work that can stand on its own two feet.

VFW is available on Digital Download now