Raze is a midnight movie which easily embodies what drove my high school friends and I to break curfew to catch such movies as Dawn of the Dead, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Eraserhead, or even Pink Flamingos – grindhouse movies which not only provided a frivolous outlet for what made us individuals but also a message which may not have been immediately apparent on the surface.
As someone who spent a good decade slinging drinks, I might be tempted to comment on the rather obvious message that involving yourself in one night stands will lead you to nothing but ruination. Personally, I think the thought casual sex can lead to no good is one being played out a little too heavy handed of late (Contracted anyone?) so I don’t think that’s where Raze is going. I also won’t say the equally easy meme of empowerment of women is the main message of Raze either because – if it is – that would be a little too clean and antiseptic and what we see onscreen doesn’t play to that obvious out either.
Hell, what do I know though? I’m just a guy who digs movies.
As pointed out Raze is a midnight movie at its heart and pontificating about the messages the movie may hold probably defeats the purpose. For those looking for a movie with strong women kicking some ass I don’t think they’ll be disappointed. Those wanting a women in prison nudie/slapdown fest surely will. I can’t say I dig women laying the smackdown on each other, and a lot of the violence didn’t sit overly well with me, but that doesn’t mean Raze is a bad flick.
Raze continues the tradition of grindhouse movies which you take as they’re intended and those looking for a throwback to some of the classic drive-in movies of the 1970s and early 1980s should find Raze a worthwhile watch.
