Why save the world when you can save it from bacon? This is the wacky idea at the heart of one of Frightfest 2019’s late showings, the Russian original BULLETS OF JUSTICE.
The justifiable success of George Miller’s reboot MAD MAX – FURY ROAD might have stimulated a revival in post-apocalyptic yarns and like the original 1979 classic and its’ sequel MAD MAX 2 (THE ROAD WARRIOR), there will be no shortage of pretenders this time around.
The world has gone South once again and amidst the carnage and devastation, we learn that one of Hitler’s abandoned experiments has yielded a hybrid of man and pig called a ‘Muzzle’. Inevitably, there is a resistance somewhere in the world, with a determination to eliminate the human factor for meat on the slab.
Never fear – we have our saviours in hand, brother and sister (sort of, cos their own desires are not totally platonic here!) Rob and Raksha Justice (Timur Turisbekov and Doroteya Toleva), bounty hunter and mercenary who are out to seek the main villainess who is responsible for the carnage – and perhaps in the process try and cure some imposing thoughts Rob has about a vision of a supermodel – not to mention gaining some revenge for the death of their father (Danny Trejo) as children….
A fair amount of suspension of disbelief is required in this film, which veers somewhat between bravura action and semi-parody. Short on plot but long on shootings galore, BULLETS OF JUSTICE is very much in the realm of the classic exploitation we lapped up as teenagers in the golden era of video cassette three decades or so before.
Echoes of DISTRICT 9 and the PLANET OF THE APES reboots are here as well and it gets through its’ slight hour and twenty running time or so on the energetic and well-staged action throughout. Technically and aurally sound as well, with some admirable visual effects, the characters are lovably cynical in their delivery of some of the most far-fetched lines.
It may also take a bit of reflection to understand the climactic pay-off once you finish watching the film – and Turisbekov holds a number of responsibilities alongside his acting chops, including being co-producer and composer, so has to be held accountable at times.
Fans of Danny Trejo are advised that although he is above the title on the poster, he appears only briefly here – and probably was used as part of the marketing strategy. However, fans shouldn’t be discouraged from seeking it out, as it works well enough regardless.
Whilst not entirely original, BULLETS OF JUSTICE does deliver the goods here, with a liberal sprinkling of perverse sexual encounters alongside those of a more porky – and bloody – kind.
