Released by: SUBVERSIVE

4 1/2 out of 5 Skulls

Making a living as a contract killer is dangerous and complex, but Australian hitman Paul (Paul Moder) is dealing with enough issues to make Tony Soprano eat a bullet. First of all he’s being blackmailed for sex by a lady cop. His partner in crime George (Kevin Hopkins) is a backstabbing sexual deviant who’s forcing Paul’s wife to participate in a twisted Oedipal fantasy, when he’s not trying to get his cohort killed. If that wasn’t misery enough, a big-time hitman named “The Snake” (Frank Bren), who has been Paul’s childhood idol and reason for entering this lifestyle, is out to make the same “Big Hit” that could earn Paul wealth and respect. When he confronts The Snake, pleading him to step aside so Paul can make the big kill, he’ll learn the legendary old assassin does not share the same code of ethics about who deserves to die. In truth, he’s a twisted and heartless murderer of old and young alike, and enjoys listening to his victim’s dying heartbeats with a stethoscope. All Paul wants is a comfortable family life with his wife and daughter. Maybe killing people for a living wasn’t the best career choice?

This may sound like heavy stuff, but director/co-writer Mark Savage (Defenceless) has crafted a funny and intelligently executed action film with SNAK (the alternate title). The editing is sharp; the acting spot-on in most cases, and the camera work is inventive. SNAK does show some obvious influences: Most notably in some two-handed gunplay action scenes that are straight out of an early John Woo flick. One such scene hilariously has opponents firing away at each other mere feet from one-another without sustaining a single hit. The emphasis is on dark comedy here, but is adult oriented and leans more toward the Tarentino school of quick wit and exciting action set pieces. SNAK manages to be both homage to other action films and still remains unique. At 84 minutes this movie MOVES and I wasn’t bored for a second. Once again a lot has been done with little money, and what’s on screen equals or rivals many films that cost much more.

SUBVERSIVE presents SNAK in 16×9 Widescreen and in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. Extras on the disc include a full-length commentary with director Savage and cinematographer/co-writer David Richardson. There’s also a nice making-of featurette with Mark Savage and David Richardson, as well as several cast members. Cast and crew bios and a still gallery complete the package. As a down-under indie, SNAK is one of the good ones!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED