I am the grim reaper, I walk softly, carry a big scythe, and kick demonic ass from here to Narnia. And now you know the concept of “Soul Searcher”. I enjoyed this flick from the very beginning where our hero is driving a truck overnight and accidentally interrupts the grim reaper kicking a demons ass all over the street. The grim reaper is falling ill and needs a new apprentice to help him in stopping the forces of evil from opening the realm of Hades and letting in a horde of uglies, and the guy named Joe happens to be the man he’s looking for–and he’s taking no prisoners.
The concept of the grim reaper taking living souls and fighting demonic ass is pure gold, and that’s why I enjoyed “Soul Searcher” from beginning to end bearing a wide smile that never left my face. Now see, I always thought the grim reaper was an immortal corporeal entity, but who cares? It’s the Grim Reaper a la Buffy. And our man named Joe never questions his sanity, never begs the Reaper for mercy, and never ignores it. He’s accepted it like its fate, and we believe that because the entire movie is one moving comic book. There’s our reluctant hero who is an outcast and going nowhere in his life, he pines for the girl of his dreams who is a waitress and has a beau, comes across a larger than his realm situation, and becomes a surefire hero, the one standing between world domination.
There’s nothing more to it, and it’s how I likes it. I mean sure, the movie is not without its caveats; I mean who knew the grim reaper had a training gym? Who knew the grim reaper had a knowledge of martial arts? Who knew the grim reaper was such a prick? Well we knew that. Regardless, Oseman’s direction is excellent as he presents the film with appropriate varying shades of stark bold color to fit the moods of the story’s direction. There are often bold reds and blues for every scene, and when Joe starts kicking demonic ass and taking names, Oseman knows how to pull the audience in with tight choreography, and utterly appealing villains. Oseman definitely had the pop comic book novelty in mind when directing this.
Ray Bullock Jr. is entertaining as the conflicted young demi-hero who wants the task, but doesn’t want to leave his world just yet to complete it, and on the way we’re introduced to some other allies that look as if they jumped off the bus on the way to a comic convention and really end up becoming memorable heroes. Hell, if the plot doesn’t draw your interest, or the characters, then you’ll definitely want to see the big knockdown drag out on top of a moving train. I dug the hell out of “Soul Searcher”. And I hope there’s a sequel. To best sum up “Soul Searcher”, think of it as “Dead Like Me” meets “Spider-Man” with a hint of “Nochnoy Dozor”, and you’re there. Sure the film can be cheesy, but it’s the cheese that makes this so damn entertaining in the end. Oseman’s film is entertaining, beautifully directed, well acted, and spins one hell of a fantasy yarn that you’ll dig.