Ascension of the Demonoids (1985) User Reviews

homosexuality and science fiction

[mrdonleone · 5/10 · 6 February 2010]

obviously, this Kuchar film is about homosexuality, because every film made by him is about homosexuality, but not every one of his picture shows us so clearly it's meaning as 'Ascension of the Demonoids'. but the demonoids are not homosexuals... or are they? it's a good question to ask yourself while watching this, because the whole picture loves to mess with its viewer's mind. again, a lot of masks are used, which could mean it's difficult to come out of the closet as a homosexual. then again, the flashy colors of the background shows us someone cannot deny being himself, no matter how hard he tries to hide the truth, identities remain themselves at any time. the science fiction part of this short movie, seems to be added for no reason at all, but to have an original plot, and to discuss about the similarities between the way we would welcome alien beings, as well as the gay community. Kuchar makes fun of homosexuality, drawing similarities between theater plays and reality, but he remains tactful, with discretion, yes, but still, because of the as good as plot less plot and silly plot lines, all this remains very unbelievable and stupid in a way. the psychedelic images could please a lot of hippies, but, sadly for them, this movie was made long after the glorious hippie era. but everything we get to see, everything we're being told, has nothing to do with the strange ending of it all, blending a Shakespearian situation with Jesus characters and imaginative illusions that seemed to have come from Disney (animation) movies. on top of that, the elements of other Kuchar films change our POV's simply by appearing now and then. the total impression we get of 'Ascension of the Demonoids', is one of boring originality. yes, it's boring, but it's original, so in this case, the story being boring is a good thing. it's more about homosexuality than that it's about science fiction. but it's also about all forms of sex, as well as homosexual as heterosexual, and that's well shown, even though you have to use your imagination as viewer to really get something to see. 'Ascension of the Demonoids' in two words: homosexual impressions.