Skinned Deep, an American slasher film directed by Gabriel Bartalos and released in 2004 should be highly recommended to lovers who enjoy the genre horror. The Rockwell family becomes lost on the highway and ends being stranded with an eccentric family. This family is comprised one mother and her three sons whom they call Brain, Plates, and Surgeon General (Jason Dugre and Warwick Davis respectively) (Kurt Carley). As the story continues, it becomes evident that the family has been involved in illegal activities and poses danger to the rockwells. The revelation is no surprise.
Skinned Deep is an unforgettable horror flick due to its outrageous set pieces, comedy moments, as well as its rapid-fire cutting. The wit and speed of the film were highly praised by the reviewer of Variety, Dennis Harvey, who described the film as "funny and inexplicably repetitive." However, Steve Barton of Dread Central was only able to give the film 2.5 starsand pointed out the repetition of old-fashioned cliches as well as monotonous narrative as reasons for his score. Because of the special effects, its aesthetic that evokes the 1980s, and its frantic pacing, Ryan Larson of Bloody Disgusting identified it as "one one of the more crazy horror films that came out in the 2000s."
The low budget the film was able to get was not going to deter Bartalos from putting together a horror film that resembled The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or The Hills Have Eyes. Instead, he invented an slasher/science fiction combination which is completely incomprehensible on top of being completely off the wall. The fact that Bartalos prior experience working on effects of well-known horror films like "Frankenhooker" and "Brain Damage" prior to working on "Skinned deep" is proof of his penchant for the fantastical.
Skinned Deep is a good film for horror enthusiasts who are (blog post) looking for something new to watch despite its low budget and old-fashioned special effects that could turn off some viewers. After the initial half minute, that is it's a straight copy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre It takes some unexpected turns that make some of the greatest horror films from the decade. This allows the film to earn its spot as one of its best films of the genre. It's a film of horror which will stay with you because of its peculiar tone and eccentric ensemble, which includes the insane plate-throwing character known as Plates and the Surgeon General.
The most well-known elements of Skinned Deep are the various creature styles and effects utilized throughout the movie. Bartalos who is a specialist in the industry of visual effects, conjures up an ensemble of bizarre and terrifyingly fascinating characters and brings these characters into life. The characters, from the threatening plate-throwing Plates , to the armed Surgeon General, each have distinct looks and personalities that are reflected in their respective style of clothing. It was a huge effort to create making-up and clothing and is the most important factor in the film's strange atmosphere.
The film's use of realistic effects, music in the 1980s and vibrant color palette all create a unique nostalgic ambience. While offering something new to the horror genre and paying homage to some of the most iconic movies in the history of the subgenre.
Despite having a plot that has been tried before, it's the implementation that is the strengths of the film are. The audience is kept on their toes by the bartalos-created universe because it's both exciting and a bit bizarre. There's no time to relax between the many attacks of violence and chaos that are scheduled to take place.
Many people don't like Skinned Deep. It's weird, strange and sometimes bizarre at times. It's quite bizarre. But, those who want to experience an original film that takes risk within the genre should definitely give it a look. Skinned Deep is able to differentiate itself from other horror movies because it is basing itself on an original concept and also that Bartalos placed emphasis on the production of realistic effects.