Do you remember the first time you saw Peter Jackson’s Braindead (Dead Alive for those of us in the states) or Bad Taste? What about Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, Alex Cox’s Straight to Hell, or the unforgettable Roddy Piper vehicle Hell Comes to Frogtown? Do the works of LIoyd Kaufman fill you with glee? If you cheerfully answered “yes” to any of these pressing inquiries, Álex de la Iglesia’s violent and chaotic Acción Mutante might be for you.
Taking influence from the very best in dystopian, bullet-riddled freakouts, the Spanish export liberally reinvents the story of Patty Hearst and the Symbionese Liberation Army as a futuristic heist film set against the backdrop of a fascistic society run by only good-looking rich people. It might be light on logic, but de la Iglesia’s roguish appeal and surprisingly good special effects carry it almost all the way to a completely satisfying conclusion. Where Acción Mutante falters is in its failure to capitalize on the political issues it initially introduces while almost completely ignoring the opportunity to critique the marginalization of people with disabilities as well as Spain’s history with fascism. That being said, Acción Mutante will likely prove irresistible for those with a deep fondness for blood squibs and mutilation.
Originally published by ASHEVILLE MOVIES.
James is a writer, skateboarder, record collector, wrestling nerd, and tabletop gamer living with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and contributes to The Daily Orca, Razorcake Magazine, Mountain Xpress, and Asheville Movies.