CarousHELL 2

2016's 'CarousHell' was a zestfully zany, deliberately overcooked, low-budget horror-comedy romp - rooted in slasher convention, but consciously throwing all good sense out the window. I had such a great time watching it, and with 'CarousHell 2' having come into the world in 2021, one can only ask: How could the sequel possibly build on its predecessor? The answer, it turns out, was to write substantial plot. This isn't just any plot, though; it's one that fully embraces the outlandish tomfoolery of the 2016 movie, only in a slightly different way. The narrative is founded on classic tropes, the scene writing is full of cliches, characters are given outrageous backstories, and the dialogue is dependably blunt, the linguo-cinematic equivalent of gamy meat that's been charred nearly beyond the capacity to carry flavor. There's earnest continuity with the previous film, but of course those connective threads are likewise only the most bizarre ones. Where 'CarousHell' dabbled with classic horror notions, 'CarousHell 2' lightly broaches sci-fi horror bluster by way of flashes of Nazi exploitation (by golly, the main antagonist's name is Ilsa), while even further sidelining any violence. Accordingly, this sequel is surely even more of an acquired taste - the audience who will best appreciate this is no doubt smaller still - but for those who can get on board with the inane ridiculousness, this is a really great time!

For all the ways 'CarousHell 2' may differ from its antecedent, though, the similarities are still more significant. It is, in every way, unapologetically blunt, forthright, insincere, purposefully unreal, and all-around baloney. While some of the special effects are arguably a step up, the intentionally cockamamie insipidness is applied liberally across the writing, acting, lighting, cinematography, pacing, direction, editing, music, and every last possible detail. Comedy is borne from tongue-in-cheek mockery, and referential humor; plainly absurdist situational humor, and exaggerated characters and scene writing; wild puns, quips, one-liners, and otherwise dialogue; sight gags, sex jokes, and more. Even for all that, there ARE genuine aspects of horror and sci-fi fantasy alongside the Nazisploitation madness. And amazingly, strangest of all, none of this is sloppy or accidental. Every last scrap of excess, self-indulgence, and extreme inauthenticity carries unfailing, underhanded wit and intelligence behind it, making the bombast the most far-fetched silliness it could be. Such emphatic shoestring schlock is exactly what filmmaker Steve Rudzinski does, and he demonstrates a practiced, determined hand in all regards, just as his cast fully embraces the highfalutin fun. 'CarousHell 2' is a title that goes all-in on the most ludicrous of ideas, and dares us to hate it. Even if we do, one can't help but admire the gumption.

Like it predecessor, however, I'd be plainly lying if I said I didn't love this. The sequel veers even further from reason and good taste in some of its humor and story beats - yet after a fashion, manages to learn from the 2016 flick by tightening the writing, insofar as there are no jokes here that are indelicate bordering on offensive. Brazenly unbound from norms and rationality as it may be, the hard work and passion poured into it is undeniable, and after all, no one is going to mistake this for anything else. It's exactly what it wants to be, and either you're on board with the bewilderment or you're not. For those who like their horror-comedy extra goofy: 'CarousHell 2,' like its forebear, is a wonderfully entertaining madcap adventure through the twisted mind of a daring independent filmmaker, and if nothing I've described has turned you off from the idea - welcome.

After learning of his illegitimate son, the talking unicorn arrives in a small town to help the woman raising it to be more of a father figure in his life, but when he realizes that the evil Nazi organization that created him in a WWII experiment has come to collect him and his son tries to defend him.

There was quite a lot of fun to be had with this one. Among its more enjoyable features is the highly entertaining and engaging storyline here involving the background and history of the determined carousel unicorn. The fact that this brings up and answers the most pertinent flaw from the original in how he became sentient in the first place by showing the creation of him as a Nazi weapon of war and escaping to be a playground ride going on the run from the same creators looking to recapture him serves this quite well. It not only allows for the hilarious and truly gut-busting comedy of the inept Nazis attempting to come to terms with the modern world conflicting with their traditional values and the concurrent family-friendly treatment afforded to the idea of a sentient unicorn raising a half-human/half unicorn hybrid in a small suburban setup. That carries over into the enjoyable and over-the-top finale where the plan to kidnap the son and use him to try to get the unicorn under control which has quite a lot to like about it. The various failed traps to capture the son are genuinely fun while the one which works with the adventure in the woods and how he comes back to seek revenge in the compound following a hysterical tryst with a sympathetic member of the organization is just a setup for the fun rampage that continues on. A series of impressive and highly enjoyable scenes showing how he slaughters the crew staying around to guard the son which is full of absolutely full of vicious gore and cheesy action featuring a slew of well-handled special effects that detail the highly over-the-top setup employed. Given the usual hilarity that these partake in and how much it sets up the potential conclusion to the series by introducing more storyline features to come, there's a lot to like here. As well, there's also the films' light-hearted tone in the first half about the family relationship. Seeing the two bond through pictures of the son growing up, going to the park, and playing catch with each other features some fantastic work with the concept of the inanimate objects interacting with each other that comes off rather well. This whole section creates such a whimsical atmosphere that makes for an endearing time if you're a fan of the approach while it can also come off as somewhat underwhelming for those looking for more complete genre fare. It's quite far removed from the type of content that falls in line with the first film's tone and atmosphere by going into this different wholesome feel at complete odds with the gruesome premise which can be somewhat jarring at times. This factor, though, along with the hilariously cheesy special effects for the creatures, should be known going in and aren't that detrimental.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence, Nudity, and a comedic sex scene.

I am not going to lie I was excited to see this movie because of how much the production value went up compared to the first one, but in the end I was very disappointed. The biggest problem with this film is the scenes drag on for so long that it makes the film boring. The first film had outrageous scenes that made the film kind of enjoyable, but this one does not have that feeling. This movie tries to be to serious for what it actually is. The story makes no sense, it feels like it was thrown together within 2 days. The dialogue is horrendous I could not stand the lack of emotion that was put into it. The jokes were over used to a point where they got annoying( especially in the third act). This movie was just a little over an hour of pure nothingness. At one point I went to clean my room and when I came back it was still the same scene. Would not recommend.

This film is about the human condition and the element of ow we accept the challenges in life. It's a story of truth, despair, love and integrity - one which envelopes the human heart and makes us ask the question...

What would Elvis do?

Once we embark on the journey of questing the unknown, we go deep into ourselves - into a vacuity of emotions - none other than realizing our fears and our hope and dreams.

This film takes us on that journey - where we become one with the unicorn...and we step into his character to understand his struggle - and we challenge the unknown that lay before us - striking us with awe and wonder.

A spectacle of magic- written swiftly with the deft hand by a true genius. Much like William Shakespeare or Hemmingway, each moment is just a fragment of time - a wisp into a speck of the element of space - where we embrace each adventure with bountiful lust for the search that makes us who we are.

A story so deep - so entrenching, that we get lost in it's structure and find ourselves in wonder - letting us know how small we really are - and what lay before us has no limits.

All aspects of film making are pushed - and the effects, costumes, performances and music creates the feeling that we too share the same adventure of angst - just as the unicorn.

Love story, action, drama, adventure, mystery, - it's all written so intricate and woven so tightly that every performance - from the young child to the evil Nazis is so mind numbingly accurate and believable that you would think that you are really there.

The tension is so tight, the smallest incident could make it snap - and you would lose your mind because you were so caught up in the moment - because the actors were so convincing in their roles.

The unicorn/human child is exactly like the ones I know...so well played with such realism...it made me believe and have the same fears and anxieties as if it were my human/unicorn child hybrid.

All in al - this is one movie which will draw you in and make you part of the action because everything is so well crafted from the first opening scene to the last = leaving you in a state of wonder and awe - a suspenseful and embracing realization that we are all just a speck in the universe - smaller than a grain of sand on the beach.

This is a sequel to a movie that you never knew you needed in your life. Steve Rudzinski is one of the best independent film makers around. If you haven't seen Caroushell 1 or 2..... go.....go now! You definitely won't be disappointed. The cast and crew on both films go above and beyond. Easily one of the top movies of 2021!