D.E.B.S.

When watching the splendid D.E.B.S. (2004-also reviewed) for the first time a few years ago,I tried to find the original short film it was based on,but kept hitting dead-ends. Watching the film again today,I got lucky and stumbled on the short,which led to me seeing D.E.B.S. first mission.

View on the short:

High-kicking with panning shots over exam papers written in 3D lettering, writer/director Angela Robinson & cinematographer Kristian Bernier present a compact version of what was to come with the feature film, as the Pop-Art High School-wearing spies slam into rapid-fire whip-pans. Spying for only 7 minutes (and 3 minutes of credits!) the screenplay by Angela Robinson keeps the mission at a surface level, which whilst keeping the pace snappy, does not go into the character depth that the feature would take D.E.B.S. in.

It was cute, but only cute as the thing that made the feature length D.E.B.s possible. What the director intends to play at is Romeo and Juliet with lesbians in a 'Charlie's Angels' style spoof setting, cool. I thought the feature length version of this did that swimmingly and thank goodness this sparked that little jewel of a camp film, because this short sort of lacked that real forbidden love energy. I know, the whole thing is built around a 'joke' (saving the captive who isn't, misinterpreting sex sounds for sounds of torture), but even the 'I love you' felt manipulative so Amy could get off and not a 'real' moment of connection. Silly as the D.E.B.s feature was, it was at least more than a lesbian sex joke. Glad I saw it first.

I liked it because it was silly and did not focus on sex and the women involved were attractive and not the stereotypical butch overweight lesbians. I also like that the movie is not to heavy on the lesbian part of it, it is lesbian light. It is entertaining but if you try to take it seriously thinking that it is anything but a fun light movie, then you will be disappointed and not get it. It is over the top much like the Charlie's Angels movie. The humor in it is obvious but playful and I enjoy a movie that does not take itself seriously. Overall it was a good movie that is nice for an evening at home where you just want to escape for a while.

This well written short is extremely entertaining. A humorous campy sendoff of bad girl stereotypes and action movies/tv had me laughing. The assistance of Power Up gave this indie unexpected top notch production values. Find a chance to see this if you can. It appears the director has sold it and a hollywood version based on the idea will be out. Take the time to see this original idea from an up and coming director.

V. funny action comedy, parody of the whole "Charlie's Angels" genre, cute girls in school outfits providing eye-candy for the guys, and lesbians (semi-controversial, but not really now-a-days) thrown into the indie pot. Good for a short.

In the SATs there is a secret test to seek out "DEBS" (secret agents), much as there was in Alias (IQ test). You're in for a good 14 mins, its no surprise its up to be made into a feature.

Buffy fans look out for Clare Kramer (Glory).