Charlie's Farm

Charlie's Farm

Charlie's Farm tells the story of four friends who are looking to do something different, looking to go on a little adventure. One of them gets the idea to go see Charlie's Farm, a homestead in the middle of nowhere that was the site of a murderous, cannibalistic family (headed by Bill Moseley in his usual, scene stealing performance) who were killed by a mob of local townsfolk many years before. The family's son, Charlie, was never seen after that night and while many believe he is dead, some say he still wanders the farm to this day.

Charlie's Farm begins with a great opening sequence showing two hopeless victims who are trying to escape a killer. The two are trapped in a basement and the scene is lit with a dingy green light that gives the picture a dirty and eerie feel as we hear heavy and fast footfalls above; this killer is a big guy. When the two meet their inevitable demise it's rough and quick and brutal with wonderful blood splatter sounds.

Unfortunately, that's the best part of Charlie's Farm.

We cut to a group of friends who are bored and decide to go see Charlie's Farm, the infamous scene of gruesome killings. What follows is a generic road trip sequence, complete with goofing around in the car as happy, upbeat music plays, as they travel several hours to the farm.

The idea of going to the legendary farm becomes almost an obsession with Jason and Mick (Dean Kirkright & Sam Coward), but it is never really understood why. Other than being bored and hoping to see “some cool shit,” no reason whatsoever is given for their sudden and strong desire to see the place. It's not as if they are counselors at a camp or break down near the farm or get lost on it, no, they just choose to go there. With no conceivable connection between the characters and the location that is the name of the film, I as a viewer felt a bit lost during Charlie's Farm with nothing to really latch on to or care about. Even with several warnings not to go to the farm, including some resistance inside the group from Natasha (Tara Reid), they are blindly determined to see it and push on. And with no one or nothing to ultimately root for, Charlie's Farm feels like a flat and lifeless picture.

The movie isn't without it's bright spots. The dialogue is written and delivered the way people speak and this helped the characters seem like actual people and I appreciated that attention to detail. Another part of the film that pays attention to detail are the special effects. There are some creative kills with solid practical effects work, a job well done by the effects team! And while the group is exploring the farm there are some beautiful shots of the surrounding scenery like old farm equipment, rusted fencing, and twisted up barbed wire.

When Charlie himself shows up (Nathan Jones), he is a big friggin dude. He looks like a hillbilly version of a possessed Sabertooth from the X-Men movies. Charlie grunts and yells throughout his killing spree and I found him a lot more effective in that opening scene where his quick, menacing, and heavy footsteps was enough to be terrifying.

And Kane Hodder shows up in a throwaway and meaningless role.

While Charlie's Farm isn't a terrible film, the good aspects of the movie aren't enough to save it, as it is a by the numbers slasher flick that doesn't try to offer anything new, it just...is.