The Lazarus Papers

When I saw The Joker, about a week ago it made me want to write a review on IMDb because I liked the idea of a pulp movie with depth. I talked about it with my cinephile friends.

One of the guy in the group, the one who likes all the B film, mentioned The Lazarus Papers, and said it was also an art house film, mixed with a supernatural thriller. He lent me his copy, and I couldn't believe it, especially once I saw it had a cover of types of films I really despise.

I gave it go, and a lo and behold to my shocked it delivered.

Since I mentioned The Joker earlier on I want to make a clear distinction where the Joker is pulp film with a budget to make an epic A-list film, The Lazarus Papers is a pulp film with a minor budget to make it one of its B-list counterpart.

It's an art film with a b-movie feel. While the mood is art house and the pace moves forward.

The film has a fantastic message about life, death, and the yearning of living to the fullest even in the direst circumstances. Good acting overall, dialogue, drama, locations, editing, photography, unique and original mood. I don't see a flaw.

The setting, the violence, some of the scenes are shocking, the supernatural elements, and the presence of Danny Trejo, Bai Ling, and Tiny Lister. Give it a solid and well done B feel.

Acting wise Trejo is completely out of character, and Lister, in a much smaller role, while still a bad guy he is not typecast. They both do a great job, it's jaw dropping in the case of Trejo. Bai Ling, while giving a good performances, is typecast but it's fine since her role doesn't over reach either.

Our two leads are played by unknown but working actors, who do a great job. The main villain is played by a guy named Gary Daniels who I just found out is also action film actor. I personally would have never guessed, I just thought it was a random unknown actor doing a first rate job. For his fans I recommend it, only if you want to see him doing something different and doing it well.

Finally it's a slap in the face on expectation, weirdness, and quality. A supernatural art house thriller is the best way to describe it. A must see.

I bought this DVD ages ago during a sale, got lost in my shelves, and stumbled upon it recently.

Lucky for me I read reviews that told me that unlike the cover, I would get a weird art house supernatural thriller.

Some reviewers who were con into buying the film thinking they would get a Gary Daniels meets Danny Trejo action packed adventure, and gave it an overwhelmingly bad score.

The reviewers who watched it for its face value have enjoyed it, some saying it's an underrated gem. Sadly for the film they are in the minority.

I am right in the middle, while I do agree it's underrated it's far from being a gem. It might be question of taste too.

This is what I liked about it you have Trejo, and Daniels out of their usual typecast doing an outstanding job so does the rest of the cast, and the film held me to the end. Also I did get a few chuckles out Trejo playing a mystical healer. He does a good job but it's so unusual.

I am a person who is not too crazy about experimental films/fantasy/art house. I like my films set in reality. So its just not my cup tea. I have a friend who has completely different set of taste, and I have seen films like that who left a bigger impression on me.

My final thought, once you know what to expect it's quite ok.

Luckily I found out in advance that this film was nothing like what the cover art suggested it would be and even though it also goes under the title THE MERCENARY the plot doesn't really revolve around any kind of mercenary. It's really a very odd film but I didn't think it was bad at all. The plot was intriguing enough to draw my attention and it was very different to other films Gary Daniels had appeared in before.

I thought about giving a synopsis which I don't normally do so that people would have a better idea of what to expect but I discovered the plot actually sounds more confusing than it really is. If you watch the film itself the plot makes more sense because there is more than one character story and sometimes it goes from being a supernatural drama to a love story to an action movie and during the third act it's all three at once.

On the technical side it's really well made, the cinematography is very nicely done and the acting isn't all that bad. The characters do start to grow on you after a while and granted the film isn't perfect by any means.

Overall, it's a very odd film but not bad but I recommend you ignore the cover art as it doesn't really represent what the film really is about. You can expect to see an intriguing plot that is more of a supernatural story with a bit of romance and a few mild action scenes.

If you were expecting an action packed thriller having picked this up based on the title, star names, or cover art, then you will be disappointed. It is essentially a supernatural drama, with only brief moments of action. The helicopters on the DVD cover art, do not in-fact appear in the film.

It is refreshing to see Daniels take on a more prominent speaking role (which he does well), but would also be rewarding to see him kicking more ass in this film. Trejo adds an element of enigmatic charisma, but too many unresolved details surround the character for it to play out with satisfaction.

Johnny Lee's acting is excellent and he carries the film's intrigue well. He is unfortunately let down by his on-screen counter-part, Krystal Vee, who's erratic and inconsistent delivery fumble the opportunities the script had to shine.

Though well directed, and with some excellent cinematography, this film is ultimately let down by a slightly bizarre performance from the lead actress, and lack of action for the aficionados.

My second favorite direct to video film after In Hell. While The Lazarus Papers is not an action film one would expect from Daniels and Trejo, it is a thriller with fantasy. It has a pace, with a jaw dropping story, mood, and a curious message. Bai Ling and Tiny Lister have small roles and it's done in a way where they have small but impactful roles. The two leads I've seen in supporting roles in other projects, they do a very good job.

When I compare it to Van Damme's In Hell, is that both films are equally gloomy, where you see shocking things, with a bigger emphasis on the drama. In Hell's action sequence are far superior, and to The Lazarus Papers's credit nor do they have a scene that pretends to be more than what it is. So they are not the same at all. I think In Hell offers more of a chance for Van Damme to explode emotionally. The Lazarus gives actors a chance to expand substantially and because it's an ensemble they never get to explode like Van Damme did In Hell.

In prefer overall In Hell, but I will say The Lazarus has very cool story, concept, weirdly involves magic in a good way that makes it a more unique film.