Customer Reviews

Ravage [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Obviously the other reviews would lead you to believe that this is another one of those cruddy little SOV gore movies, and it is. The difference, and it's major, is that though low budget this has a literate script (excepting some plot holes), intelligent direction, and a nice score. While most of these pictures are concerned with gore and a metal soundtrack, the director here is obviously a movie fan who is after more than a cheap stoner thrill. Comments made above about the acting are only half correct; the lead actress shows real talent, and so does the actor who plays the villain in two roles. There is genuine suspense, and the action scenes are, at this level of production, pretty amazing. As stated above, the score attempts to accentuate the story rather than provide a venue for some cheesy local band. It isn't a perfect movie, but I would easily rank this among other DIY fare such as The Dead Next Door and Darkness. If you're willing to try something literate, old school, and fun, I highly recommend this picture.

I regret buying this dvd. The production values are non-existent. The whole thing looks like a student film, and a bad one at that. Save your money.

Fangoria Magazine's editor says that this director's "brutal action set-pieces put many bigger budgeted projects to shame!" and boy is he right! This movie is nice and bloody, like John Woo's Hong Kong action movies used to be (an obvious influence for the director, Ronnie Sortor). The story concerns a man searching for the serial killer who slaughtered his family and ending up in over his head in a violent underworld. He has to fight, shoot, burn, stab and maim his way to bloody vengeance and it's a rough ride! You just don't see gritty, gory films like this coming out of Hollywood. For those of you who want your movies to have real guts (i.e. You who thought RESERVOIR DOGS was for sissies!) check out RAVAGE. [Heck], the police-station shoot-out is worth the price of admission by itself!I've seen the VHS edition and this new DVD improves on it a lot. Yes, this is a low-budget effort and it shows, but it's the content that matters in a program like this, right? Some of the supplements are pretty dark and grainy but it's still a unique and insightful look into what goes on behind-the-scenes. The commentaries are fun and informative with no dead air. Highly recommended testosterone entertainment!

You'd think that with no acting ability or training, the cast would at least have the common decency to memorize their lines. But noooo. The extra half star is for the college effort at some respectable grindhouse violence, but this dog's merits end there. The narrative is non-sensical, the performances embarrassing and the production values below the level of what most reasonably intelligent people could accomplish with a consumer grade video camera and a free weekend. Way below. I would even suggest that this was shot without the assistance of any lighting equipment. If it's an exploitative revenge yarn you're in the mood for, try LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT or THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE before wasting your hard-earned $3 on RAVAGE.

looks ok but if it was shot in the 90s why does it look like a late 70s early 80s flick?