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What is it about this year and action cinema? It’s only July but in terms of big budget flicks and indie action fare, fans have had plenty to be exited about when it comes to adrenaline, bullets, fisticuffs and explosions.
Well, I have another notch in the belt of 2023 action fare and this one has killer alligators to boot so strap in and read on as to why you should check out Director Brandon Slagle’s newest slice of action-horror with The Flood. We’ve got cops, criminals, anti-heroes and those pesky reptiles to quench your thirst for all things chaotic and violent with this one.
Did I forget to mention that this one features an eclectic cast of ass kickers including Johnny Ricco himself, Casper Van Dien, as Russell Cody along with killer Sue from The Debt Collectors Louis Mandylor as Rafe Calderon who are more than willing to get wet and their hands dirty for the sake of action cinema. Nicky Whelan, who is also no stranger to action, heads the lineup as a no nonsense Sheriff named Jo Newman who is in charge and proceeds to make some new boots out of alligator when all is said and done.
When you have a movie that takes the best elements of thrillers like Con Air and Assault on Precinct 13 and mashes it all up with creature features like Jaws and Alligator, you know what you’re in for and Slagle once again puts the pedal to the metal and delivers the blood and water soaked goods with little to no opportunities to catch your breath once things get going. It’s bad enough the there’s human enemies but when nature comes calling in all its fury, it’s a full tilt boogie adventure that is filled with bullets and blood.
The plot, once again this is but a necessity, involves prisoners being transported to a prison when a massive hurricane hits. Things go from bad to worse when the inmates decide to rule the asylum and attempt a breakout in the middle of all the chaos.
Enter…the alligators. With this new threat, Newman is forced to put her trust in some of the prisoners in a desperate attempt to stay alive long enough so humans can get back to killing humans. of course, some of the said humans still decide to go after the cops and attempt to escape which leads to glorious carnage all over the place.
I have to hand it to action cinema and especially independent films as they are keeping the spirit of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s alive with their throwback style of storytelling. Slagle as I’ve said in the past, is a huge fan of these kinds of films and it shows in his execution with flaring results. The alligators look damn good and even though you know it’s CGI, it’s believable when they hit and hit hard they do.
Van Dien is solid as always and here his Russell Cody is the epitome of the anti/hero as he’s done bad things but still has a certain moral code when it comes to what transpires. Van Dien is always a welcome sight in any action movie or genre for that matter and he always brings it.
Mandylor continues his action hit streak that has included turns in Battle for Saipan and Breakout. Here he’s a supporting player but that’s ok as he accepts the role full force and still gets to liven things up. His chemistry with Van Dien is spot on and the two definitely have friction which makes things interesting when the chomping commences.
It’s no shock that this movie was written by genre favorites Chad Law and Josh Ridgway as the two know what we want from our bloodletting. They pay homage to what has come before while at the same time doing their own thing and telling everyone to hold their beer. When you see both of these men attached to any project in any regard, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Overall, The Flood is another notch in Director Brandon Slagle’s belt as he continues to accept the role of go to filmmaker when it comes to high-octane on screen. This movie is a fan perfect blend of action and horror with enough grisly kills to make audiences happy.
The alligators are extremely menacing and the sequences of nail biting tension refuses to let up until the final credits roll. I won’t spoil much for you as you should definitely check this out come Friday and grab some buddies, beer and popcorn to enjoy as you watch the mayhem unfold onscreen.
The cast is great and they go all in as audiences will be able to tell that they gave it their all for the love of it. Van Dien, Whelan and Mandylor are a trinity of awesome and the rest contribute nicely to the proceedings.
If you like your action sprinkled with a little bloody horror then The Flood is right up your alley. Chomp, chomp everyone!
VERDICT: 4 Out of 5
ACTION-FLIX APPROVED!
THE FLOOD will be available in Theaters, On Demand and Digital on July 14, 2023.
