The action genre is one that has gone through many changes and developments throughout the years. Even though the genre is expansive in a way, it’s one of the most oversaturated and often feels the most similar when comparing films. Action films are a grouping that I don’t necessarily love at this point in my life because it’s rare that we get something original with an electric energy. The best of the genre are the ones that take previous ideas and improve on them to become it’s own unique thing. Boy Kills World is one of those movies.
To put it simply, Boy Kills World is an action comedy inspired by works of anime that works the best with the stoner crowd. Many of my colleagues left the film feeling very negative about it; but I felt quite the opposite. Boy Kills World is the type of action film that is coded to my taste in film. The movie follows Bill Skarsgärd as a deaf and mute assassin who goes on a journey to take out the people who destroyed his family. The film’s energy is very akin to things like Kick Ass and Deadpool. The film is super bloody and violent while also being very humorous. It’s the type of film that fits into Midnight Madness perfectly.
The film was advertised with a fight scene including a cheese grater and that did not disappoint. The action in this film is top notch. They decided to use drones to shoot some of the bigger action scenes, so there’s a fluidity to those specific moments that feels more action packed than if they decided to steady cam the scenes. There’s also a big chunk if handheld shots that I heard negative things about from others, but I fairly enjoyed. The film felt like it was constantly impressing me on a creative level when it came to the action and the cinematography associated with those moments.
The film also has a fun sense of humor that I didn't fully expect when I was going into it. While it's a gnarly action film, it also has a comedic edge to it that I appreciated. Most of the film has a voice over that represents what Bill Skarsgärd is thinking. That element is played for laughs in some scenes and they are genuine laughs. I found myself chuckling as much as I was impressed by the more action oriented elements of the film.
The performances were also a point of contention for some, but I felt Skarsgärd and Rothe particularly were standout in both an action oriented and a comedic lens. A main reason I wanted to check this film out was because of the pair, specifically Jessica Rothe who I feel is under-utilized in films. When she’s given a role, she takes it to 11, but she is barely given things to do. The characters felt like they were ripped right from an anime, specifically Rothe’s who is a killer that communicates some of the time through an LED screen on her helmet. The characters fit so well into this world built for the film.
The directing and the presentation of the film itself were also phenomenal as those elements fit the various genres well. This is a film that feels like a mix of so many other films and subgenres while also being an update of those elements. This film genuinely feels like a step up from films that are clear inspirations.
Boy Kills World is probably the most fun i’ve had watching an action film in a while. The film has such a chaotic yet fluid energy that makes it a perfect fit for the “action comedy” section of cinema. A fun mix of Deadpool, Kill Bill, Kick Ass and Hunger Games that definitely leaves an impression. The lead performances from Bill Skarsgärd and Jessica Rothe are also standout as two assassins who kick major ass. Boy Kills World currently doesn’t have distribution, but when it finally gets a release, it’s gonna blow up. This film has a specific audience and when they see it, they will be blown away. I am one of those specific audience members as I loved this film. One of my favourite of the festival and it might end up being my favourite Midnight Madness film this year. Definitely check this one out when it releases, you won’t regret it.
The Rating
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