If you know who Uwe Boll is, you may not believe that my review of his latest film Postal is actually a good one. If you don’t know who Uwe Boll is, you might recognize him as the reviled German (now Canadian!) film director who was so fed up with critics bashing his films, he challenged them to a boxing match at
Boll readily admits that time was a dark one for him. His films met horrible reviews, while politics and the 9/11 attacks left the world in a tumultuous state. He wanted to make a good movie, so he wrote a comedy.
Although the film retains the same name as the video game on which it is based, that’s where their similarities end. Boll crafted a cohesive plot in this film, which involves both the Taliban and a disgruntled do-gooder named Dude scrambling after an exclusive shipment of valuable merchandise. Much like Team America: World Police, Postal is overtly political, offensive and utterly shocking – but doesn’t hide behind the fallacy of marionettes. The extreme humour and satire that permeates the film allows Boll to toe the line, and he doesn’t even spare himself of this mockery. His theme-park cameo demonstrates his ability to take a few jabs and hooks in stride.
Dave Foley as a cult leader and Zack Ward as Dude made a great lead team, while Verne Troyer and Erick Avari inserted their own bits of hilarity into the mix.
And the ride doesn’t end here: Boll has produced two films (BloodRayne II: Deliverance and Tunnel Rats) since filming on Postal wrapped, and Far Cry shooting recently began in
Whatever your opinions on the director everyone loves to hate (even those who have never seen a minute of any of his films), do yourself a favour and let it go for an hour and a half. Boll’s general message is this: the world has gone to shit, and it’s time to turn it around. Jaws will drop, audiences will laugh, and you’ll be treated with a dose of tough love, Boll styles.
Postal will be released in North America, the
www.postal-the-movie.com
