Over the last 20 years, there have been many attempts to satirise the current state of today's de-sensitised generation. Films based around the machinations of a corporate and society driven sickness are usually cast aside with humour that the possibility is too grotesque. Death Row the tournament is a featurette of sorts that re-iterates that we do live in an increasingly de-sensitised environment and breathes a pleasant hollywoodesque formula into the equation. As a short film, its a 12 minute adrenaline ride of kinetic violence with a moral undertone that plays deftly with the shadow it casts. The director's narrative and eye for detail (example - when guns are fired, the violence is re-iterated in the cannon like sound - not seen in much work since John Woo's early days and Ridley Scott's Bladerunner and Black Rain) work at a swift pace that works well with the genre. I look forward to seeing some higher budget longer features from Mr Johnson.
The camera work and editing are slick and are given a reality feel to them which works well with theme. The only drawback is the fact that it is only 12 mins long and the actors do not get a chance to shine. The lead looks to be a potential candidate for a new action hero on his abilities alone.
Please note that this is a short film - which is a shame, cos it has the makings and idea to be a big hit if people saw a longer product (all merits remaining equal).
Best indie short I've seen in a long time!
