These days, it seems that many low budget independant filmmakers are too concerned with making unbelievably boring arthouse garbage, when they should be concentrating more on entertaining their audience. Not so with director Mike A. Martinez. For years, Mike has had been a rabid cult film fan, and his fondness for Italian post-nukes certainly shines through with his latest epic, An Enraged New World.
This film is a highly ambitious contemporary post-apocalyptic extravaganza.
It begins with three astronauts returning to earth from a seven year mission to the planet Ganymede. In a scene reminiscent of Planet of the Apes (the original, not the half-baked remake), their shuttle splashes down in a huge lake, and they manage to make it to shore.
They find a desolate landscape (which looks to be the Alaskan wilderness), apparently devoid of all human life. They aren't alone however. Earth is now populated by mutants armed with assault rifles, who pick off the astronauts until only Major Roger Corman (so that's where he got to) remains. In an impressive array of action sequences, Corman fights off mutants in a deserted city using only an assault rifle, a grenade, his wits, and half a loaf of kung-fu until An Enraged New World draws to its satisfying conclusion.
Mike is a long term student of Italian cinema, and has learned his lessons well. From great Castellari inspired slo-mo action sequences, to the very dry humour of a Bruno Mattei. Martinez has opted for a subtle sense of humour throughout An Enraged New World. A refreshing change from the intelligence insulting 'in-your-face' gags of many films made these days (yes, I'm talking to you Mr. Sandler). Mike has managed to capture that special feel of Italian exploitation cinema. From his ingenious use of stock footage, to the mildly overacting cast, it's all here.
Mike has also managed to enlist Gordon Mitchell in a cameo appearance. Ironically many will think that this is another case of plundered stock footage, however this is the real deal. An Enraged New World is possibly the most entertaining post-nuke entry since the mid-eighties. The only thing that will work against it gaining a release is its relatively short running time of just under an hour. Perhaps Martinez and co. will overcome this problem somehow, and get this out to the masses. |