Gorehounds Unite!

Ditched at the altar, hell-bent Spencer Starkington goes on a brutal killing spree to retrieve his beloved mother's (P.J. Sales, "Carrie", "Rock and Roll High School") heirloom ring. The gorgeous and wedding-hating, chick-flick bashing Detective Rikki Moore (Sascha Knopf, "Vampirella") and irreverent Detective Cade Hamilton chase Spencer through a quirky maze of pawn shops, massage parlors, and a corpse-raiding cop - as the ring bounces fatally from one beautiful desperate bride-to-be to the next.

Finally landing on the least likely weddinig-hating chick-flick bashing finger of them all...

 When I first heard of Death By Engagement my first impression was that it was gonna be in the vein of the Stepfather films. Don't ask me why I thought this I just did and it's weird but I actually heard other people mention this fact as well before many details were announced about it. I can say though that this is a totally different beast than those films and we can stop any comparison of them right here. The plot is actually alot more fun than those films......basically it revolves around a cursed engagement ring that for some reason causes the bride to be that wears it or anyone it comes in contact with to be viciously killed. Alot can be made about all the undertones regarding cold feet and guys who arent ready to commit.....and they are all present in the film some less subtle than others. But one things for sure after seeing this film youll think twice about popping that question anytime soon!

 They managed to get a stellar cast for the film that includes some genre favorites and well established actresses such as: P.J. Soles (Halloween,Carrie,Devil's Rejects), Christa Campbell (Day Of The Dead '08,The Wicker Man, 2001 Maniacs), Iyari Limon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Final Season), Sascha Knopf (Whats the worst that could happen?, He was a Quiet Man) and Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars).

 All of the performances were good but Christa Campbell and P.J. Soles were amazing in this film and managed to steal the show on this film. They made the best of every line they had and P.J. Soles shows just what an amazing actress she still is. As far as Christa (be sure to read the interview with her also!) is concerned she once again shows that she will be a force to be reckoned with as an actress and is actually quite funny in this role! And I wont lie her nude scene was one of the highlights of the film.....

 The plot is nothing special and nothing we havent seen before but the difference here is that it's fun and the performances make up for the average plot. Don't get me wrong it's well written and well filmed it's just nothing ground breaking for the genre. It was neat to see the different characters story arcs intersect and how it all ties together is nicely done.

 The director knows his way around a film set thats for sure as the film looks gorgeous and could easily have been a theatrical release if someone didnt know better. All the shots are pretty well connected although I did notice toward the end that the film did lose direction somewhat as it seemed to lose the fluidity it had at the beginning. I also noticed a few too many chop cuts where it just goes to a black screen and starts the next scene. While not horrible it does take you out of the film a little.

 The effects are where I had the most problem with the film and I'm pretty sure this is because of budget restrictions but it seemed like the effects were somewhat an afterthought. They seemed to be chep in some parts and this may just be a lighting issue, money issue, or just a newer effects artist. Thats not to say that the film doesnt have a draught of the red stuff. The effects just seem to be of the splatter blood all over the place variety. Don't worry though this doesnt detract from the film as much as it may seem as this isnt the type of film that requires alot of gory effects to make it work......thats not what it's about.

 All things considered this film does everything that it sets out to do. This is also one of those rare horror films that will be enjoyed just as much by women and men, so it will work just as well for a romantic night with your signifigant other as it will for a night out drinking and partying with your buddies! Not many films work like that.....This is a film that will make you laugh as much as it makes you cringe in fear!

 You can tell the director and actors are all a fan of the genre and had a blast making the film and the movie doesnt take itself to seriously. It's the perfect movie for either sex. This is the first film that guy's can use to their favor if they are being pressured into marriage. You'll never look at an engagement ring the same way ever again!

 Visit the filmmakers at their official myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/death_by_engagement

 And their official website:  www.deathbyengagement.net

RATING:

3 1/2 out of 5 Severed Heads!