Take two cups of “Ghost Rider,” one cup of “Spawn,” a dash of “The Crow,” mix it up with only a fraction of the budget, and you have Jose Prendes’ “Headless Horseman.” The Asylum’s newest mockbuster watches like an off brand comic book movie from the late nineties. It feels like something from a studio that couldn’t afford Marvel’s “Ghost Rider,” so they opted for a character from an obscure indie label. If it seems like I’m just mocking “Headless Horseman,” I’m truly not. I was surprised at how much I didn’t hate it, as while the movie borrows from the aforementioned series’ wholesale, it amounts to some cheesy, charming fun.
Young biker Brandon falls in love with Sophia, unaware that her abusive, gang lord ex-boyfriend Angel is stalking her. On Halloween night, after a violent confrontation, Brandon is murdered, but on his last breath begs for help. Luckily for him the devil heard his pleas and makes a pact with him. He gets his soul, but allows him twenty four hours to save Sophia, kill Angel and his cronies, and avenge his soul. Armed with supernatural powers, and deadly weapons, Brandon is on the hunt, working against the clock to complete his mission.
A movie like “Headless Horseman” would have been replayed four times a day on VCR as a kid. It’s so goofy, and fun, and if you can cope with its inherent derivativeness amounts to a pretty entertaining revenge picture. Director Jose Prendes just goes for the throat with a movie that is stripped down and simple, but tries to squeeze as much fun out of the premise as humanly possible. It sags in some areas, including the concept and the villain, but I liked how the movie uses Halloween as a launching point for the mythos. I also quite enjoyed how every villain in the film is so diabolical and mustache twirling. Michael Pare, in his small role, completely chews the scenery as the Devil, who arrives to give main character Brandon his powers, and manipulate him at every stop.
Pare just seems to be having fun, and that energy emanates through much of “Headless Horseman.” I was also worried that Prendes would make a big deal out of the title character and show little to none of him in action. But surprisingly, the movie makes good on its promise, offering up a ton of fun action scenes of the flaming skulled warrior just murdering gangsters left and right. I also appreciated his kill shot where he rips his head off and smashes it on to an enemy setting them ablaze. I almost shouted “Fatality!” While “Headless Horseman” is by no means perfect, it’s a lot of fun. The direction is competent, the acting is solid, and the special effects are up to par. Plus, I just love a good revenge picture. I hope we can get a sequel.
I’ve never said that about an Asylum movie. Ever.