Guns of Eden review
Guns of Eden is a complicated movie.
It can’t quite shake its B movie trappings complete with a cheesy soundtrack, shaky dialogue and horrific performances. In too many ways that matter Guns of Eden is an objectively terrible movie.
But, GOE does have what too few B movies lack with a credible lead and costar who prove more than capable of mostly carrying the film to watchable levels.
Megan (Alexandra Faye Sadegihan) and Jeremy (Peter Johnson) have been longtime police partners. An off duty incident traumatizes Megan forcing her to go on leave.
To help get her back on track Jeremy invites Megan to tag along on a camping trip with married couple Gabriella (Nicole Colon) and Blake (Dominic Luongo). It’s a good thing Megan agrees otherwise this was gonna be a very awkward getaway.
A group of blatant racists who just so happen to be area sheriffs take out some meth dealers. And naturally Megan and Jeremy spot them taking down the last one making them expendable witnesses.
To ensure the odds are in their favor, the head goon Preacher (Bill Kennedy) calls in some reinforcements from the militia, minutemen and Betsies.
Megan and Jeremy wisely split up taking one of the couple with them in hopes of staying ahead of the militia.
Director/Screenwriter Gregory Lamberson peppers the script full of colorful if extremely hokey cliche tough guy dialogue.
The nature of the story — plus the weirdly spoiler opening sequence — guarantees that not all of the foursome survive. And the odds are pretty good it’s the one decked out like Lara Croft pre-toned down makeover.
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Given the scumbaggy nature of the characters that’s not exactly the best decision. At least Lynn Lowry has a fun supporting role as a woman in a cabin that provides some aid to Megan.
Lamberson has a decent handle on the action sequences. A usual weakness of B films is bloody gunfights, which typically just look extremely phony. Even during the close-up fistfights, the action is staged well enough.
The shootouts are passable even if Lamberson stages them a bit too pat. Blast effects from the guns look a bit cheap and some of the discharges sound more like busted weed wackers.
Still Lamberson’s got some fun ideas though such as the shadow squad bobbing and weaving in the tree line.
Megan gets to go full Rambo taking on the various squads who are presented like theme boss characters.
One thing is clear the characters all have pretty lousy aim except for Megan.
Guns of Eden has a ton of narrative and execution issues, but it hits plenty of the guilty pleasure marks to make it watchable.
Rating; 5.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: Uncork’d Entertainment