Synopsis: When Max (Taissa Farmiga) and her friends reluctantly attend a tribute screening of an infamous '80s slasher film that starred Max's late mother (Malin Akerman), they are accidentally sucked into the silver screen. They soon realize they are trapped inside the cult classic movie and must team up with the fictional and ill-fated "Camp Bloodbath" counselors, including Max's mom as the shy scream queen, to battle the film's machete-wielding, masked killer. With the body count rising in scene after iconic scene, who will be THE FINAL GIRLS left standing and live to escape this film?
To be honest I tried so hard not to like this film. Well not at first, at first I thought "cool another HORROR COMEDY", but then when it started and I glimpsed the set-up I really felt that I was not gonna like this film. At first I thought the introduction to the protagonists was hokey, then when we see how the story comes about with the cast entering the fictional film playing at the theatre I thought-"WTF? Am I suppose to buy this?". It was a bit of an issue with me, eating at me through pretty much the whole film-I really wanted to know the "HOW". Oh well, that being said, Schulson's creativity, and fresh spin on the horror spoof is so well executed that I couldn't help but enjoy the ride.
The character contrast between our "real cast" and the "fictional cast" is so entertaining, especially with the comedy side of "The Final Girls". The cliche horror stereotypes meeting the somewhat "real world" cliche characters captured my attention. The seasoned acting between the up-and-coming Hollywood stars and the star-wattage of seasoned stars like Malin Akerman and Nina Dobrev is pure candy. The real star in this film is the script! The writing is just so good that even the things that irritated me, held my attention. The scenes are so emotional, dark, humorous, and visual - just perfectly done. Kudos to the crew and cast of "The Final Girls" on all that!
The special effects were "Hollywood". What can you say, the practical effects, make-up skill, and CGI are so well produced that you get both a indie slasher homage, and total 80's popcorn effect. The CGI is done in a way that makes it as enjoyable as the splatter gore practical effects-that is a big "yay" for me because CGI tends to be a bummer personally when watching horror films. This time it all just worked perfectly. The soundtrack is methodical and precise. It plays on 80 slasher nostalgia and really connects you to the atmosphere of the scenes-both the campy "characters in a fictional horror film and knowing it" aspect, and the actual intimate, emotional relationship scenes that really develop the characters.
Overall "The Final Girls" really comes close to hitting on all cylinders as the perfect slasher spoof. There is still that annoying "HOW" that lingers through the film, the almost too obvious and expected "Hallmarky" moments, and the fact that you pretty much know exactly how the scenes are gonna play out, and the general reaction from the characters, because it has to play out that way because it was set up to play out that way. Still the masterful way that Todd Strauss-Schulson pulls all the sweet and savory horror, and comedy stuff together in a visually delightful film- and don't forget the writing and cast- all just make "The Final Girls" a really fun and awesome viewing experience that fans should really enjoy!
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