As a child, a boy is scared when his brother wears the head of a sheep as a mask, coinciding with the day his father falls off a cliff. Years later, he returns to his family sheep ranch to overcome his fear. But his brother, who has since taken over, is experimenting with some genetically-modified sheep (and we don't mean Dolly) who have some questionable side effects. One being the hunger for human flesh.
Wikipedia says, "Black Sheep is a New Zealand made comedy/horror film directed by Jonathan King and made in a similar style to Peter Jackson's early films such as Bad Taste and Braindead." I'm not sure what the "similar style" is other than that they were all filmed in New Zealand. As a big fan of "Bad Taste" and "Dead Alive", I can't really put "Black Sheep" in that same category. I liked it, but I don't see any connection.
I awaited this film a very long time. At least a year went by from one I first saw a trailer (and laughed heartily) until it finally made its way to the United States. Even with underground connections, I was unable to secure a copy before that, so I assure you I was ready to ravage this film with my eyes when I could. And I did. And, not surprisingly, I liked it.
As with most trailers, the trailer for "Black Sheep" is a tad misleading. It comes across as a very funny picture with excess tension and gore. You'll get a few laughs and you're get some gore and some tension, but it's nothing on the level you probably expected. In fact, I had to lower my rating from what I might have given the film just because it set itself up for failure by overstating its case. My horror film sidekick, Jason, was losing interest during this film... I think he may have even left the room towards the end (I can't say for sure because I was still watching).
I like horror films with satire or that have some anti-society message underneath them. This one clearly has the message that genetically engineering animals is a risky game. Will we get human-sheep hybrids, flesh-eating sheep or zombie sheep? Probably not. But that's the beauty of horror, using exaggeration and dark comedy to say something. I thought there was going to be a "Host"-like message after bio-waste was dropped down a well, but that never happens. There are also two hippie characters in this, and I suppose there's a message about hippies, too, although they seemed simply to be inserted for stereotypical reasons. Patchouli, aroma therapy, veganism... very flat characters.
I could say the film lacked nudity (there was none) and I can also say it needed even more action (there were some slow points). Most of all, it needed a better chainsaw scene -- the brief one we're given is a buzzkill. On the other hand, the special effects and makeup are amazing and should be commended for such an independent film. The sheep monsters and everything else were quite intense, very good. Why so many jokes about flatulence, though?
I'm glad I saw this film and I still think horror fans will like it. The general audience who might have found the idea interesting (especially the tagline about "the violence of the lambs") may be let down. I wasn't fully satisfied. But, you know what, it's still a decent movie and if you've seen the trailer, I know you can't rest until you see it for yourself. Do it.
Wikipedia says, "Black Sheep is a New Zealand made comedy/horror film directed by Jonathan King and made in a similar style to Peter Jackson's early films such as Bad Taste and Braindead." I'm not sure what the "similar style" is other than that they were all filmed in New Zealand. As a big fan of "Bad Taste" and "Dead Alive", I can't really put "Black Sheep" in that same category. I liked it, but I don't see any connection.
I awaited this film a very long time. At least a year went by from one I first saw a trailer (and laughed heartily) until it finally made its way to the United States. Even with underground connections, I was unable to secure a copy before that, so I assure you I was ready to ravage this film with my eyes when I could. And I did. And, not surprisingly, I liked it.
As with most trailers, the trailer for "Black Sheep" is a tad misleading. It comes across as a very funny picture with excess tension and gore. You'll get a few laughs and you're get some gore and some tension, but it's nothing on the level you probably expected. In fact, I had to lower my rating from what I might have given the film just because it set itself up for failure by overstating its case. My horror film sidekick, Jason, was losing interest during this film... I think he may have even left the room towards the end (I can't say for sure because I was still watching).
I like horror films with satire or that have some anti-society message underneath them. This one clearly has the message that genetically engineering animals is a risky game. Will we get human-sheep hybrids, flesh-eating sheep or zombie sheep? Probably not. But that's the beauty of horror, using exaggeration and dark comedy to say something. I thought there was going to be a "Host"-like message after bio-waste was dropped down a well, but that never happens. There are also two hippie characters in this, and I suppose there's a message about hippies, too, although they seemed simply to be inserted for stereotypical reasons. Patchouli, aroma therapy, veganism... very flat characters.
I could say the film lacked nudity (there was none) and I can also say it needed even more action (there were some slow points). Most of all, it needed a better chainsaw scene -- the brief one we're given is a buzzkill. On the other hand, the special effects and makeup are amazing and should be commended for such an independent film. The sheep monsters and everything else were quite intense, very good. Why so many jokes about flatulence, though?
I'm glad I saw this film and I still think horror fans will like it. The general audience who might have found the idea interesting (especially the tagline about "the violence of the lambs") may be let down. I wasn't fully satisfied. But, you know what, it's still a decent movie and if you've seen the trailer, I know you can't rest until you see it for yourself. Do it.