By: debbie lynn elias
Monsters? Did someone say “monsters”? They sure did and not a moment too soon as it has a been a long hot dry summer in the monster slaying department. Thankfully Trevor Matthews and Jon Knautz have come to the rescue with the unveiling of what is certain to become an icon in the horror-monster slaying game, everyone’s newest favorite plumber – JACK BROOKS MONSTER SLAYER. According to Matthews, “We knew we wanted to make a monster movie before we knew we wanted to make a Jack Brooks movie.” Respectful to the genre, JACK BROOKS MONSTER SLAYER harkens back to those classic horror flicks of the 80’s and incorporates not only the essential elements of a good horror film, but tosses in nods to familiar creature creations from a variety of films, well timed comedic and thematic elements, energy, enthusiasm and unabashed entertainment, not to mention a plumber every woman out there wouldn’t mind in her house (look out James Denton as Trevor Matthews may be checking out your desperate housewives) and of course, the legendary Robert Englund.
Jack Brooks a few problems, all of which appear to stem from one singular incident. Nothing big mind you, if you call having your entire family devoured before your eyes, nothing big. A young child at the time, one moment Jack and his sister are playing around a campfire while his parents dance to the melodic soothing tones of “Beyond the Sea.” An idyllic family moment. A Norman Rockwell painting if you will. But, in a flash, Jack’s sister is pulled into the darkness and thick foliage. Screams are heard. Jack is frozen. His parents run towards their screaming daughter and then the worst appears. A creature of indescribable ugly is devouring Jack’s family. Chomping at the bit, so to speak. First, Jack’s little sister. Then, he sees his mother snatched, grabbed and snacked on and then, finally, his father, being drug by his ankles to certain death, screaming at Jack to run, run as fast as he can before he becomes dessert. (Were this my family, my brother Ed would have voluntarily thrown me to the creature.) Within moments, the screams end with the only remaining sound, strains of “Beyond the Sea.” Clearly this creature belies the old saying that music soothes the savage beast/breast. Either that, or he isn’t too fond of Bobby Darin.
Now, some 20 years later, Jack is still haunted by that night. In dire need of anger management, he emotionally pummels himself for the events that occurred, events that he doesn’t discuss, that his shrink dismisses as hallucinations, and that prompt angry outbursts at the drop of a pin. And as irritated and angry as he gets with that, who knows what would happen at the drop of a pipe wrench! But despite it all, Jack tries to live a “normal” life. He attends night school, albeit late every night thanks to perpetual car trouble. He has the hots for a blonde bimbette whose mouth I kept hoping Jack would duct-tape shut. And he has a professor, Professor Crowley, who although a little bit “out there” and nerdy (after all he is a science/chemistry teacher), is genuinely nice and concerned, and he just happens to have some plumbing problems at his home.
Inviting Jack back to his house one night after class, Jack quickly determines Professor Crowley’s plumbing problem. Unfortunately, what Jack thought would be a quick fix only exposes more problems with the pipes. But as Professor Crowley says, “Every step is progress……at least you found the heart of the problem.” Boy did he, in more ways than one as it seems that by trying to fix the pipes inside the house, Jack unleashed something underground outside the house, something that garnered attention from the Professor’s dog and later that evening, the Professor himself. Something that stirred the beating of a heart of pure evil. A heart buried in Professor Crowley’s back yard. A heart that Professor Crowley unearths with unearthly consequences.
But fear not. For the next morning the sun shone brightly (after a night of horrific thunderstorms dontcha know) and all was right with the world – except for that big hole in the Professor’s backyard, an opened crate filled with dirt, and a disheveled strangely acting Professor eating everything in sight, puking his guts up all over himself, the blackboard and his students. Hmm, maybe everything isn’t right with the world. As class progresses, Jack begins to see his life flash before his eyes. His life has come full circle. He is 6 years old again and pure evil is staring him in the face. Does he run and hide? Stand and freeze like he did 20 years ago? Or does he take a stand and fight?
Trevor Matthews, a triple threat as writer, producer and star, explodes onto the scene with what will undoubtedly become a franchise character – Jack Brooks. Matthews may well prove to be one of the breakout stars of the year. He brings a cocky aura of perfectly timed sarcasm and wit to the foreboding Jack. His physicality is impressive to say the least, particularly knowing that he did all of his own stunt work but for one or two scenes. Of course, according to Matthews, he was more than willing and capable of performing all stunts but insurance companies reared their ugly heads and drew the line. And trust me, given my experiences over the years with the Stuntmen’s Association and its members, Matthews truly is more than qualified to perform any stunt one could throw at him. But it is his likability, his affability, both in person and on screen that takes a comic book hero like Jack Brooks and makes him a three dimensional living breathing hero. And ladies, this is one plumber you won’t mind having fix your pipes.
But what would a horror film be without the inimitable legendary Robert Englund. As Professor Crowley we finally get to see Englund transform into everything from a little bit Kraken to trolls to a creature that very very very strongly resembles a gut puking Jabba the Hutt! He is a delicious delight! We are so used to seeing Englund in full regalia of his various incarnations (ahem, Freddy Krueger) that an opportunity such as this to see his subtle nuanced performance as a man transforming before our eyes is well worth the price of admission and then some. Not only does he firmly ensconce and give credibility to JACK BROOKS MONSTER SLAYER as a horror classic, this is a brilliant performance by Englund not to be missed. As Crowley, he is absurdly hilarious, something not often seen from Englund. He also showcases a great adeptness at physical comedy in the slapstick stylings of yore. He is absolute scream!
Written by Jon Knautz and Jon Ainslie based on a story by Matthews, Knautz and Patrick White, the story is simple but intriguing and pays homage to the classics that have come before Jack Brooks. Incorporating humor, action adventure and every requisite iconic horror film accouterment (dark house, dim lights, dog, monsters, basic do it yourself defense tools like stakes, duct tape, plumbing pipes and wrenches, screaming girls, frightened students along with legend and lore) under the helm of director Jon Knautz, the film doesn’t skip a beat and maintains an even thrill ride pacing injecting just the right amount of terror and suspense. The story is brought full circle, the back story fully fleshed out and an opening as wide as a monster’s mouth for Jack Brooks to return.
Particularly notable is the work of David Scott who handled creature creation. WOW! Collaborative in the genesis and evolution of each of the seven distinct monsters, Scott’s work in old-school latex, ranks as one of the best. Cinematographer Joshua Allen steps up the plate and captures the true essence of the genre and the film with lighting and pallette while editor Matthew Brulotte adds to the purity of the film with clean well timed edits. The icing on the cake – a musical score to die for.
The filmmakers’ love of the genre is clearly evident, not only on screen but when I sat down to speak with them about JACK BROOKS. They are passionate about this film, the genre and “getting it right.” One kick-ass cool flick, Jack Brooks just slays me! Folks, rest assured. There’s a new hero in town and a new franchise on the horizon. JACK BROOKS MONSTER SLAYER. It’s killer!!!!
Jack Brooks: Trevor Matthews
Professor Crowley: Robert Englund
Directed by Jon Knautz. Written by Jon Ainslie and Jon Knautz based on a story by Trevor Matthews, Jon Knautz and Patrick White.
