Film number 28 on the 31 Films for Halloween 2011 may not be for the October holiday as much as it is for the Fourth of July. Still, its an entertaining horror comedy from director William Lustig, of the Maniac Cop series, that makes quite a dark horse cult gem for Halloween viewing. This edition looks at the 1997 holiday horror satire, Uncle Sam.
- Title: Uncle Sam
- Director: William Lustig
Sam Harper is a Desert Storm soldier who was the victim of friendly fire. He was known for his strict, patriotic personality. After his burial, some teens burn an American flag over his grave site. This transgression resurrects him. He proceeds to kill those who are tax cheats, draft dodgers, and anyone else he deems to be un-/anti-American. He obtains his signature moniker after killing a stilt-wearing peeping tom wearing an Uncle Sam costume, which he perceives as a bastardization of American iconography.
The Review
Lustig gets impressive performances from a Tarantino-inspired cast. David Fralick may not be Kane Hodder or Gunnar Hansen, but he's alright on his own as “Uncle Sam” Harper. The film benefits from a supporting cast including Bo Hopkins (The Newton Boys), the late Isaac Hayes (Chef from South Park), Timothy Bottoms (Johnny Got His Gun), Jackie Brown'sRobert Forster, and PJ Soles of Halloween.
The film was ahead of its time for 1997, almost prophetic of the current political climate. Had it been made today, it would have been just as polarizing, if not more so, as the infamous “Homecoming” episode of Masters of Horror or Kevin Smith's Red State. There is a not-so-subtle thread of socio-political commentary that brings to mind the likes of George Romero.
Here, you have a killer who can be seen in relative perceptions. Some may view him as the most patriotic entity, killing elements that are perceived to be against the morale fiber of this country, feeding into the nationalistic vein that is held dearly by a big percentage of the population. On the other hand, some people may view him as an extremist that represents a narrow, shallow mindset that hinders what many see as the progressive progression of this nation. Much like with “Homecoming”, this is a live action political cartoon disguised as a horror movie.
Conclusion
While it may seem like a simple horror movie, this will make a great conversation starter at the next Halloween screening party. Lustig presents an objective character that both extreme sides of the political spectrum will focus on. They'll either cheer him or boo him. Its a smart little horror film with a cast that will make you say, “wow!” Its a worthy addition to your Halloween movie marathon.
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