For a movie that starts out so political-seeming, albeit in the Brain Candy mold (think environmentalism and celebrity instead of the pharmaceutical industry and happiness) it's amazing how this turns out to be about nothing. Nothing happens that isn't in direct service to a particular joke. And while the plot is concrete and not difficult to follow, the action scene to scene is scattered and constantly mutating (no pun intended). This movie has no agenda outside of attempting to make you laugh. And let's face it, the goofs run the gamut in terms of being funny, horribly dated or just plain too weird. But it's that last point that makes this film noteworthy. It's not quite like anything I can recall. The practical effects (and the occasional early digital ones) and set/costume design are phenomenal in that wonderful 90s kind of way. They truly spared no expense on the final gigantic monster mutations. To what end this is trying to say anything, or even holds up as comedy, is secondary to all that. If you are checking this out in 2020, its visual style is most likely the reason why. That said, as a comedy, it is of an ilk that no longer exists. That joke-a-minute, pop culture skewering romp which isn't directly parodying a certain thing: they don't make these anymore. (I don't know if that's good or bad; just interesting, perhaps). And that final goof with the cactus shadow? Surprisingly nuanced and terrific.
Review of Freaked
