Review of Red State

I have to give props to Director Kevin Smith for trying something new. Known for years as a comedy writer. Kevin Smith went for trying to write a horror thriller. The movie is a bunch of teenagers that are kidnap by members of a religion fundamentalists cult call the Five Points Trinity Church, led by Abin Cooper (Michael Parks), for being mistaken as gay men. The only man that could rescue the teenager hostages is ATF Agent Joseph Keenan (John Goodman), who begins setting up outside of the church. The movie plays as a standout, as both ATF agents and religionists fundamentalist stood their ground, gun blazing. Can Joseph Keenan save the teens or will they be killed in the crossfire? Without spoiling too much of the movie. The movie really does mirror, the real life event of the Waco, TX Standout of 1993 where ATF agents and Branch Davidians face off, ending in such tragedy results. The movie makes you witness the events happening. Both the Five Points members and the ATF agents are both call upon higher powers to kill each other. Most of them follows the orders without thinking it through. It's only Agent Joseph Keenan who has doubts, rationalizing what is right and wrong here. The movie message, if any, seems to be that. I love Joseph Keenan's story about the hungry brawling dogs and John Goodman delivers this message well. I have to say, his acting, pretty much save this film. Another one worth noting for their acting is Kyle Gallner as Jarod, one of the victims. The Casting director was moved to tears during his performance. He was so good at the role, that they couldn't tell the different, between his acting and a panic attack. He suffer one during the nailing to the cross scene. Still, in my opinion, I think his acting is mediocre at best. I felt that everybody else had characters that were too dumb, not develop enough, unlikeable, or was just over-acting. The 15 minutes of sermon was a bit too long as it wasn't well told by Michael Parks. Michael Park was alright, but a better actor could had made this character way better. It's boring because he's talking about something that isn't new. It just repeat rambling. The violence in the film was brutal, but pretty tame for a horror movie. Poorly executed shots even if it was low budget. Lots of vulgar dialogue that somewhat sound right in scene, and out of place in others. I didn't like the bittersweet ending, the producers gave to the film. Honestly, I didn't like the original ending as well, but at less, that would be more interesting. It was cut from production, due to it being too expensive. About the controversial message; I found the movie kinda water down. I found Kevin Smith 1999's Dogma, more controversy than this movie. About the message about gun control; it's seem the movie could had gone further with the plot. It was barely explain in the film. The movie was inspired by infamous pastor Fred Phelps of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church. They are known for its extreme ideologies, especially on other religion such as Jewish, Christians, Protestantism, Islam, Hindu, and others. They are also known for protesting or picketing American militaries, murder victims, world leaders or celebs funerals. It's weird to hear that some members of Westboro Baptist Church came to watch this movie screening. Less than 20 minutes into film, the entire WBC audience attending the event walked out, outraged by the film's content. The Westboro Baptist Church planned to protest Red State at its premier at the Sundance Film Festival, but kinda chicken out, after Kevin Smith plan to counter protest them. In the "Commercial" episode of Comic Book Men, Kevin Smith cited Bryan Johnson's film Vulgar as being an inspiration for Red State. I don't see it. I do not believe the movie has anything to do with View Askewniverse. There is supposedly a pair of disgruntled neighbors caught growing marijuana reference in the film that was a reference to Jay and Silent Bob, though this is never made explicit in the film itself. The movie had a bit of controversy start due to auction event at Sundance. He show the movie to movie studio producers, and then after watching the film, he told them that he was self-distribution it. Smith has said that there are ten "Easter Eggs" (hidden jokes or surprises) in the film. So look for that, if you want to see the film. Well, there is a cameo of Kevin Smith in this movie worth finding out if you hear him. His line in the end, pretty much sum up what I thought of the 88 minutes movie, overall. It wasn't that good, but it wasn't the worst movie about a cult. Maybe in a few more years, it will find a cult following, but right now…red as raw. I wonder what blue state is about.