Murder Party (2007) Review

 

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After finding an invitation on the ground, an idiot goes to a party where a group of flunkies await to kill him.

Review: I really don't know what to make of this film. I've read rave reviews and glaring ones alike, but I think it's actually something in the middle. The divide is probably stemming from the attempt at mixing the horror with the comedy and it didn't mesh. I know this is going to sound, admittedly, stupid, but "Idle Hands" managed to blend the genres better since that film's internal logic had a flow (did I just write that?). "Murder Party" starts off with a quirky sense of humor, that plays it low key, until an abrupt turn into a real slasher. Then the film ends limply without a proper resolution to the events in a way that is neither funny nor scary.

The story is kind of simplistic as we meet a dork, named Chris, who randomly picks up an envelope off the ground. It's Halloween and the envelope contains an invitation to something called a "murder party." Having nothing better to do with his time, Chris decides to go to this party for whatever reason. This is already where things fall apart for me. Halloween is used as a mere plot device rather than an actual element of the story; it doesn't need to be Halloween for people to have costume parties. Besides that gripe, I kept thinking we'd learn more about Chris, and why he'd care to go to this party, but Chris' character is a huge void in the story. He's clearly an imbecile but so is everyone in this movie. Wouldn't it have been more humorous to use him as a buffer for the audience? If the intention was to make it seem like Chris fits right in with the other idiots, he is kept gagged for too much of the film for this to be effective.

Anyway, the moment Chris shows up to the party he is confronted with a group that intends to kill him. The group, as mentioned, are complete buffoons who want to murder someone for their "art." It would appear they are a bunch of pretentious artsy types except they don't realize how shitty their art is in the eyes of their peers. I did like the oddball costumes each character has chosen ("Blade Runner," "The Warriors," etc.) as it was a nice touch. Obviously the group is inept at murder as one of the flunkies ends up killing herself, they have no clear aim or strategy, and they appear unaware of any real world consequences. Chris tries to escape a few times which serves as the more humorous moments, but the film wanted me to laugh more at the characters' quirks--which wasn't doing it for me. After a night of zany antics, the group realizes that their leader, of sorts, is a fraud which results in everyone dying and going crazy. When the one character, Bill, finally snaps, the film transitions into horror while remaining relatively serious with only sprinkles of humor added; coupled with the music, this change merely makes you wish the film was horror the entire time. After much chase, Chris manages to kill Bill (see what I did there) and becomes the last man standing when everything is said and done. Then the film overstays its welcome as we see Chris walk home and then just sit around for 5 minutes before the credits roll. And that's it. These lackluster endings I've been watching lately really hurt the overall experience for me.

I'm probably making the film sound worse than it is, because there are a lot of highlights. The acting is decent, the music is surprisingly good, and the cinematography was excellent with lighting worthy of a better horror film. The humor is more quirky, as I keep mentioning, and I'd imagine others finding it funnier than I could. Even though this is an indie film and pretentious dorks are naturally drawn to this kind of thing, the story is making of fun of those types at numerous moments--yet this film is bordering on pretentious at the same time. (In Neo voice) Whoa...that's some next level art house "Inception" shit right there. Overall, this is an average film improved by interesting ideas and a nuances (plus bonus points for the line about pizza), but hindered by a failed genre blend. It's worth checking out, but it's certainly not for everyone. Finally, this barely qualifies as a Halloween horror, and there's no reason to seek it out over films like "Trick or Treat," "Night of the Demons," or "Trick 'r Treat."

Notable Moment: When the one guy has his werewolf mask melted to his face. This was a cool effect and an all around awesome idea in general.

Final Rating: 5.5/10