Venus is part of a series of films produced by the label The Fear Connection. I applaud Alex de la Iglesia's effort to help Spanish horror/thriller directors get their films out there. This one in particular is a fun ride: some scenes and characters are very effective, as well as the FX and the use of music. What I do not understand is how an independent label still has to abide by certain clichés and tropes that feel really tired by now: over-the-top thugs whose behaviour ends up being laughable, the plot whose twist we see coming a mile away or certain shock moments that look good but don't really serve any purpose, such as the final or scene or the role of 'The Servant', who looks amazing but... what was up with her?? It's all the more odd in that Jaume Balaguero is a very experienced director.
I also have to pick on this trend to "empower" female heroines which ends up doing exactly the opposite. It was hard enough to believe that 6-foot tall action heroes with military training would single-handedly beat a whole of gang of equally-muscular baddies, and on occasion it took you out of the story because all tension was lost. Suspension of disbelief is very difficult in these scenes, but it becomes nearly impossible when a weaked, wounded, twice-stabbed 55kg slim female dancer faces a bulky thug wielding a machete and takes him down with one kick. Some films manage to make this work in their own particular ways (Ripley, Pam Grier or the girl in the recent 'Revenge') but most fail at this IMHO.
However, I definitely recommend this film. It's fun, short and sweet and it packs enough of a punch to keep you interested.
I also have to pick on this trend to "empower" female heroines which ends up doing exactly the opposite. It was hard enough to believe that 6-foot tall action heroes with military training would single-handedly beat a whole of gang of equally-muscular baddies, and on occasion it took you out of the story because all tension was lost. Suspension of disbelief is very difficult in these scenes, but it becomes nearly impossible when a weaked, wounded, twice-stabbed 55kg slim female dancer faces a bulky thug wielding a machete and takes him down with one kick. Some films manage to make this work in their own particular ways (Ripley, Pam Grier or the girl in the recent 'Revenge') but most fail at this IMHO.
However, I definitely recommend this film. It's fun, short and sweet and it packs enough of a punch to keep you interested.