Street Trash

So apparently a remake of the '80s cult classic horror movie "Street Trash" was made in South Africa this year. I just watched it and it's got nothing on that original, and still very unique, movie. If you want a b-grade splatter flick, then I guess this remake might wag your tail. But I found it pretty forgettable.

The original movie didn't really have a plot, which is what made it so cool. Well, that and the fluorescent gore effects. It was just a series of riffs on splatter themes mixed with comedy and a sly wink at the audience that let you know the filmmakers were having fun and wanted us to join in. Considering it's well remembered by cult film fans decades later, I think it's fair to say we did.

This remake has more plot, seemingly, though it doesn't really make sense. It's homeless people again, including a Yiddish-spouting guy who looks a lot like Stanley Kubrick, and another one played by that extraordinary South African actor from the director's previous, and superior, "Fried Barry", who looks like a cross between Bad Boy Bubby and a caveman.

The way his eyes are clear but apparently see nothing, and the way he blinks and stands still like he's patiently waiting for somebody to tell him what to do, reminds me of the character creation screen in a CRPG.

He steals every scene he's in, simply by virtue of him being in it. He doesn't have to do anything, he's just such a bizarre specimen you always find yourself looking at him.

The same can't be said for the guy who plays the main character, unfortunately.

The plot, as near as I can tell, is something to do with a rich South African trying to kill the country's homeless population. I didn't really understand it.

They should have had the guts to make a plotless movie, like the original one was. This movie is unhinged and crazy enough- or seems to want to be - to pull it off. But the plot keeps getting in the way, such as it is.

Forced out onto the streets, a homeless woman meets up with a friendly group of people stuck in a situation like her and sets about trying to help them overcome the exploits of a tyrannical mayor looking to wipe out the homeless population with a special body-melting chemical.

This was a rather disappointing if still watchable enough genre effort. Among the best aspects of this one is a rather strong and topical storyline that manages to hit on a very current aspect of society. The series of political satire attempted here involving the plight of the homeless and how they're left on their own despite the protestations and promises of the rich to provide and care for them in their campaign speeches talks about the current issues involving what to do with the homeless in the real world. The poor are left to fend for themselves in the broken-down, rat-infested slums they are shown to live in and are unable to care for themselves or each other even though there's a real effort made to bring about a sympathetic vibe to them compared to the more antagonistic approach given to the political rantings of the authorities that prove them to be in control of society and doing what they can to keep themselves in power to spite the homeless. It's a solid enough take that offers a decent enough starting point for everything. This starting point offers a great display of body meltdowns and disintegrations that are featured throughout here. The goopy, viscous-style effects are quite fun with the multi-colored liquids emerging from every orifice possible as the skin melts down and falls off or limbs drop to the ground making for a great touch here bringing about no shortage of graphic and bloody sequences. Whether it's just random passersby on the streets who we get to see the effects of the chemical or the friends who are trying to fight back against the corrupt authorities in their way as they try to carry out their special plan to wipe out the homeless on the streets, the scenes here provide a fun series of ideas depicting the various stages of their bodies getting dismembered and falling apart which are wholly cheesy and silly to witness as the physical approach keeps everything immensely fun. Mixed in with some brutal hand-to-hand Action and shootouts to be quite enjoyable, there's plenty to like with this one at points. That said, there are some factors here holding this one back. That mostly centers on the film not being all that interesting when it's not dealing with the body meltdowns or the Action scenes as the fight for human rights and equality is not that interesting to see play out. The pacing in the first hour is quite bland as we get plenty of their day-to-day lives, the political satire of the war against them by the elites, and the discovery about everything going on that comes with this particular story that never really delves into the horror of any kind which leaves a feeling more in line with a high-energy Action film than horror. Focusing on shootouts, gun-battles, and the occasional use of the gas to melt people down as a way of helping them achieve their mission than anything else, this might not be a genuine issue but can easily be a factor to drag this down in the end.

Rated R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

Who would have ever imagined that 37 years after low-budget cult body horror Street Trash, we'd be getting another dose of Tenafly Viper-fuelled craziness? Not me, that's for sure, but here it is - the follow up to Jim Muro's madcap melt movie.

What do we expect from a new Street Trash film? Lots of melting hobos and the occasional severed dick gag, that's what, and director Ryan Kruger more than delivers: this one is much messier and more manic than the original, with gallons of blood and multi-coloured goop splashed around as nasty Mayor Mostert (Warrick Grier) attempts to exterminate the city's homeless population with Tenafly Viper gas.

Only a brave group of down-and-outs can save the day: sex and drug addict Ronald (Sean Cameron Michael), Alex (Donna Cormack-Thomson), Chef (Joe Vaz), crackheads Wors and Pap (Lloyd Martinez Newkirk and Shuraigh Meyer) and crazy 2-Bit (Gary Green).

To put it simply, this film is bonkers. It took me a while to get into the spirit of things, but once I did, I had lots of fun with it. The characters are crazy, there's a lot more melting than in Muro's original, with excellent practical effects, and there's actually a better story this time around, as the street trash freedom fighters plot to overthrow the government to end their extermination.

Obviously, this type of film isn't going to appeal to everyone - it probably isn't going to appeal to most sane people, to be honest - but if you enjoy over-the-top trashy horror (think Troma at its most absurd) then you might have a good time. I actually enjoyed this more than the original, but then that one didn't have an invisible, blue, sex-obsessed, potty-mouthed creature called Sockle in it (stay right to the end of the credits to see just how filthy he is!).

6.5/10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.

Perhaps I'm old school now but the 1987 original had a certain charm to it, gooey effects, a wild script with a band of actors pulling together to bring it to life, for which all with great aplomb.

Rookie Director Jim Muro excelled with his steadicam work capturing every nuanced moment.

Now moving onto Ryan Kruger's remake or sequel or whatever it wishes to be. Despite some lovely little nods to the original, it quickly falls apart, true the effects remain suitable gross but it lacks the sparkle of what made Muro's an everlasting gem.

Poorly scripted with some wild misfires, the storyline is strained with a storyline that pretty much goes nowhere!

I do question why the character of Chef is Jewish when the movie is set in Cape Town, the actor playing Ronald seems to be acting as if he's in another movie, he seems decent enough but he doesn't belong here.

Having been looking forward to this, it'll never be watched again.

I hate to say this, because I love the original Street Trash, and I'm also a fan of B-movies, bad movies and Troma, but I just didn't enjoy this new re-boot/sequel whatever it is. I thought the humour was lame and it tries to be quirky but came across as stupid but not the kind of stupid I like. For many it's worth watching for the gore and melts, which to me I'm guessing, is what most people will want in a Street Trash rehash. And the FX are done well. The story and characters I didn't like. I can see it pays a lot of homage to the original. It just didn't hit the right nerve for me. Still I'm glad it exists as many will like it and it's probably a nuts enough of a movie for any trash movie or body horror fan.