SUPER SOAKER
Thomas E. O'Sullivan | Knoxville, Maryland United States | 09/16/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It's RESIDENT EVIL. It's INDIANA JONES. It's BUFFY (WB budget and all), it's a Japanese kids show complete with puppet monsters, over the top capes, costumes and fights - and it's in French and makes little or no sense... but while something like that might sink most films, BLOODY MALLORY rises above the rest to deliver a solid action adventure / horror comedy that manages to somehow drop us in the middle of a story and leave us with a cliffhanger and still feel like a complete film.
Mallory, a newly made bride finds on her wedding day that her newly minted husband is worse than a man - he's a demon, and he intends to sacrifice her life for... something. Why he wanted to kill her, or for what is never explained, but Mallory doesn't accept this with her wedding gifts and instead kills her new husband, banishing him into Limbo and leaving her cursed... with what is never explained. But, cursed all the same she heads to the salon, becomes the color of a fire plug and dresses in leather, carries weapons and stomps Hell back underground with a pair of boots so heavy that Mallory seems in constant danger of breaking an ankle at any moment. Teamed with TALKING TINA, a mute child telepath (with blueberry colored hair), and a transsexual explosive expert, VENA CAVA (with a long pink bubble gum colored wig) - these three are the only thing standing between the world we know and love, and Hell itself.
BLOODY MALLORY is a silly putty crib of many other films, but unlike most films that tend to lift elements, action or plot, BLOODY MALLORY takes it one step further by adding into the mix several original ideas and shots of humor (as well as good performances) that help to complete the illusion. And while a well made, and produced film, you can't help catching yourself thinking that you're really watching a television show. The pacing, cutting and storyline, shocks and surprises all seem fit more for a weekly series than just one film... so much so that by the time the film ends, you can't help but feel a bit disappointed that you've really reached the end.
While fast and cheap, it's never out of control. And for those looking for a quick hit of action and gore, plus a laugh or two, then BLOODY MALLORY has got your back, and a pair of boots made for walking."
Bloody Mallory...
Aussie Horror Fan | Sydney, Australia | 08/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great little French movie. I was lucky enough to see it on a cinema screen while living in the UK where it screened at a horror film festival called Fright Fest. And while the film is now at least 4 years old, it's well worth the wait to finally have on DVD with English subtitles. (It's been available in France for some time on DVD but to my knowledge without any subtitles, and also in Thailand).
Bloody Mallory was described as "Indiana Jones meets Buffy" - and while it's got its share of adventure set pieces, this is more a clever enjoyable horror/comedy than an action film.
Basic storyline finds our lead heroine Mallory who is an special agent in an Occult division of a government agency. She's got major issues with demons as we find out she had to kill her husband on their wedding night when it turned out he was in fact a demon - who despite being dead "haunts" Mallory throughout the movie. Mallory works alongside a colour assortment of characters, including a "Talking Tina" - a 12 year old psychic girl and a 7 foot American Drag Queen (who provides some great one-liners). Throw in a plot about a kidnap of the Pope with vampires, demons and sacrifices, and you get the idea of Bloody Mallory.
The film has a great look and style, and has some cool creature and gore effects, along with some great costumes and fun performances from the cast. Never taking itself seriously for one moment, Bloody Mallory is a great popcorn flick that deserves to be seen by a wider audience. It's not going to be to everyones tastes, but if you're a fan of B Grade, Shlock/camp films, this is for you.
I'd have love to have seen a sequel or series of films follow. You could definately see franchise potential, but i guess being a independant French film limits the mass appeal and audience for a follow up. Shame as i can't think of another film that probably is more deserved of a sequel in this day and age when ever the crappiest films get a sequel.
For trainspotters, the director also made a short film with Lisa Wilcox (known to horror fans as "Alice" from Nightmare On Elm Street 4 & 5) that was meant to be developed into a full feature, but i'm not aware if this ever happened. And sorry i can't remember the title either...
A fun, cool tongue in cheek movie."
Strangely interesting
lecudedag | NSW Australia | 07/29/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"At first I thought this film had too many elements. It has a special team that fight demons, each with their own skills. It has demons. It has a vampire. And, it has the pope. Yet, all these things just seem to work, because it's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously.
It has the always hot Valentina Vargas as a vampire, who, when she feeds you actually see the victim's arm collapsing/deflating from lack of fluid!"