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NATURAL BORN KILLERS
(1994)
DIRECTOR:
Oliver Stone.
STARRING:
Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Sizemore, Rodney Dangerfield & Tommy Lee Jones.
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What a brilliant movie, everything a viewer could ask for, humour, love, murder, sex, drugs and an awesome soundtrack. I could never get sick of this movie I swear, definitely in my top 5 favourites ever. Writer Quentin Tarantino sets the warped theme with a completely bizarre script (which he sold for just enough money to buy a second hand car with) and director Oliver Stone (after a moderate re-writing) sets the mood and pace with some crafty camera work, strange effects, animations and a whole lot of talent.
At the time this movie created some serious uproar from all the usual groups that would object to such social satire material. Especially with its vulgar displays of incest, comical violence, brutal violence, police corruption, media exploitation of crime, glamorising of criminals in general and the world’s underlying obsession and fascination of the macabre. Sometimes I think this movie says a bit too much of the truths about the way we deal with such killers and sometimes it’s simply too much for some of us to take.
This is the story of two victims of childhood abuse who become lovers and mass murderers accidentally glorified by the media. America's favourite serial killers. It all starts off in a diner in the middle of nowhere on “Highway 666” with Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis). Mickey enjoys his pie while watching Mallory enjoy her infamous dancing which you see periodically throughout the movie. An altercation occurs with some sleazy men hitting on Mallory when she lashes out and the fight begins. They manage to slaughter everyone in the diner except one which they leave to tell the story of what happened that day, their trademark.
They declare their undying love and need for each other throughout the movie and finally tie the knot over a beautiful bridge, cutting their hands open and sharing their blood. How romantic hehe. Over their three week cross country murder spree they slaughter 52 people including Mallory's abusive parents, a few cops and some innocent wankers. All in the name of fun and love.
I think particular mention should be made of Mallory’s father (Rodney Dangerfield) in what is one of the most disturbing characters Dangerfield has ever played (and the guy has been friends with a chimp in a movie before (!?)). The whole back story of Mallory living at home has been shot in an extremely bizarre fashion in an obvious parody of the US sitcom (in what seems to be an odd mix of I Love Lucy, Married... With Children, Leave It To Beaver and other assorted white bred US family sitcoms) and has an amazingly odd effect. The obviously bad NTSC effect on the grainy footage of the sitcom sections, along with the taped audience laughing and applauding over some of the more morbid parts makes it a completely surreal experience and Stone deserves more praise than he gets for this part alone. A truly disturbing yet funny part of the film that stays in the memory. From the overall look to the odd part where you find out Mallory's mum has been wearing a wig the whole time and she has this horridly bald head. Very, very strange.
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Anyways, after being on the road for some days their car runs out of fuel and they appear to be lost. They're on some kind of drug trip when they come across a shack in the middle of no where. They meet this old Indian man and his grandson and stay a while. Mickey and Mallory sense there is something wrong, the Indian saw Mickey's 'demons' inside him but continued to be hospitable none the less. This resulted in the Indian's death from a violent outburst during one of Mickey's nightmares. The Indian's last words were “I was waiting for you to come”. Mickey & Mallory completely flip out from their come down and what Mickey had just done, they end up in the middle of a massive rattlesnake nest & unfortunately get bitten. They find some fuel & rush off to the nearest town to get the antidote, but end up getting caught by Det. Jack Scagnetti (Tom Sizemore) a detective who has been on their trail since the beginning (a psychopath himself), although he seems to have an unnatural attraction to Mallory Knox which proves to be a deadly one in the end.
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^^Awwww... in love AND homicidal. |
After a year of being locked up and apart, a nosy, irritating shit of a reporter Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.) who had been documenting their murder spree, decides to do a live interview with Mickey. They speak about life, love, childhood and Mickey's thoughts on being a natural born killer. During this live feed the prison breaks into an all out riot, which creates the perfect distraction for Mickey to turn the situation around for his own benefit. In his cool, calm and collected manner he charms the guards and camera crew into trusting him, then BAM! Now they're in his hands and the first thing he wants to do is save his love, Mallory.
For the first time in over a year the two murderous lovers are reunited, something they were told would never happen again. For those moments, they are the only two people on earth. As the riot continues, their desperate attempt to break free is broad casted live nationwide and once again, only one is left to tell the tale of their escape. Despite Wayne Gale WISHING it was him after assisting the couple in their escape, the witness is unfortunately going to be his camera, which leads to Wayne’s execution in front of said camera.
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This film is one of those that has lots of “your favourite parts”. You know the one little scene or line that is held to you dear. For instance, my favourite and the best line of the movie, 'only love can kill a demon'. There are little bits and pieces of the films here and there that as a fan you will remember and see every time. Believe me, this is a hyperactive film and to be able to spot out your favourite little part each time amongst all the activity and visual feasting that’s going on, that is quite a feat proving any fans love for this movie!
If you have not seen this movie and really enjoy Oliver Stone's controversial work then this is a must see. One of the best movies ever created, in my opinion. |
^^ Typical smiley law keeping types. Come to THESE guys for help?
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While standing on highway 666 I give this film:
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5 OUT OF 5 JAGER-BABIES. |
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