Review: Black Friday
Digital Platforms: Black Friday (2021)
Working in retail can be stressful.
Working in retail during the annual ‘Black Friday’ event can be VERY stressful.
Working in retail during the annual ‘Black Friday’ event while trying to protect yourself from violent extra terrestrial parasitic organism infected shoppers…well, that’s what the characters in the horror/comedy ‘Black Friday’ have to contend with.
Bruce Campbell chews up the scenery as the store manager Jonathan Wexler, while his staff members include Archie (Michael Jai White), Brian (Stephen Peck), Chris (Ryan Lee), Marnie (Ivana Baquero) and Ken (Devon Sawa).
Each character has their own little backstory, but these become inconsequential when the shoppers become infected and set their minds on grabbing (and killing) the staff, as opposed to grabbing the best bargains from the store shelves.
Black Friday very much reminded me of low budget comedy/horror movies that I used to rent on VHS back in the 80’s, with quirky characters, over the top acting, and bloody practical effects.
All the above are present and correct here (especially when the effects are by Robert Kurtzman), but the disjointed editing and overlong moments of nothing really happening makes it seem longer than its short 84 minute running time.
I’m not sure if there was a lack of budget or shooting time, but on more than one occasion the narrative leaps forward leaving you wondering what really happened!? This isn’t too much of a concern as it’s basically just an “us against them” situation between the staff and the infected shoppers, but it is noticeable enough to take you out of the movie for a while.
It’s all very silly and tongue in cheek (which I have no problem with whatsoever), with the situation getting extremely ridiculous in act 3 when the staff have more than just the roaming infected shoppers to contend with.
I’d put this onto the “beers and mates” list of movies to get the best viewing experience from it…though I watched it alone with a cup of coffee and enjoyed it.
Not the best Bruce Campbell movie, nor the best horror/comedy movie, but could raise a few laughs and cheers when viewed with likeminded horror/comedy fans…and the odd alcoholic beverage.
Signature Entertainment presents Black Friday on Digital Platforms 11th February.
Review by Dave from a streaming link kindly supplied by Signature Entertainment.
