Greetings & Salutations Everyone!
You cannot discuss the history of horror films (especially low-budget horror films) and NOT mention or give praise to ‘Full Moon Features’. Led by B-Movie legend Charles Band, the motion picture production/distribution entity has been responsible for direct-to-video horror classics like the ‘Puppet Master’ franchise, ‘The Dead Hate The Living’, ‘Killjoy’, the ‘Subspecies’ franchise, the ‘Trancers’ films (except the first which was a carryover from Band’s previous company), and ‘The Gingerdead Man’ franchise amongst others as well as the VideoZone featurette.
Over the last several years, the movies produced by ‘Full Moon’ have migrated into the online arenas and can be viewed via their website as well as Amazon Prime Video however that hasn’t stopped fans from continuing to buy DVDs as well as used VHS tapes up until recently. Especially now, with the COVID-19 epidemic their online markets are the easiest way to view them. All that being said, today’s movie review for you consideration is the latest from ‘Full Moon’ and was not only partly inspired by the Coronavirus but also took full advantage of the situation regarding social distancing. Combined with the latest news craze regarding the life and downfall of collector Joe Exotic, today’s feature for your consideration is ‘Barbie and Kendra save the Tiger King’. Starring Cody Renee Cameron, Robin Sydney, and voiceover work from Leslie Jordan the film also features a cameo from John Reinke (who was formally Joe Exotic’s zookeeper) as himself.
The film centers on Barbie (Cameron) and Kendra (Sydney) as they attempt to escape and quarantine themselves from a horde of corona zombies. While trying to maintain social distancing and becoming casualties of sheer boredom Kendra introduces Barbie to a TV show on a questionable TV nature channel about the ‘life’ of the Tiger King. Somehow this prompts the movie’s heroines to form a bizarre plan to rescue the Tiger King himself without leaving the confines of their couch. At one point, Barbie and Kendra initiate a Zoom call with John Reinke and express their desire to rescue Joe Exotic in the midst of the of the TV show which focuses mainly on the satirical tale of a Lil’Joe Exotic and his plight to survive after a plane crash in the jungles of the Amazon where he evades hunters, wild animals, and angry natives. On top of all this, Lil’ Joe Exotic is told he has been chosen by the great Tiger God to become the Tiger King.
Now I admit that I was just a tad confused by the time the movie was over but then I thought that that’s perhaps the genius of the film. The view is so busy trying to navigate the movie and the premise that you almost forget about everything going on around you in real time and that in itself can be a great thing especially in these trying times. It’s not scary unlike the majority of the ‘Full Moon’ films i’ve seen prior to this but it does manage to measure up to the reputation. I say watch it once even if you’re NOT a fan of any of their previous films. At least it’ll get your mind of things for a while and may even prompt you to revisit or check out some of the films from ‘Full Moon’ that you haven’t seen before. It’s not like we don’t have time now right?
