If you're already familiar with Jordan Downey's Thankskilling, then you already have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this non-sequel sequel to a non-sequel. Funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that allowed the film to be made for the modestly above microcinema amount of $100,000, Thankskilling 3 bills itself as "the first movie to skip its own sequel" and, if that doesn't quite tell you enough of what to expect, then "Warning! Boobs in the first second!" ought to do it.
Oh, and there's puppets.
If you thought South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut was raunchy then you're probably not the target for this ridiculously raunchier movie about a a fowl-mouthed villain named Turkie (Downey) who has settled down with a wife and a kid until he gets the news of the destruction of his film. Turkie takes off with his son (Preston Altree) on a ruthless hunt for the last copy of Thankskilling 2, an imaginary film that has the reputation in this story of being one of the worst films ever made.
In reality, Downey and his cast and crew did actually skip Thankskilling 2, a bit of a fun fact given that the original film nicely set up everything for a sequel that is nowhere to be found.
The film also adds in a twisted little story about a little puppet named Yomi (also voiced by Downey), who has quite literally lost her mind. She hooks up with Uncle Donny (Dan Usaj), creator of the Pluckmaster 300, whom she believes can help her find that "piece of her mind" back.
Does this all sound ridiculous?
Oh, it is.
It's also raunchy, silly, funny, twisted, and just about everything else you could possibly hope for from a puppet-fueled horror comedy. The original film was made on a paltry $3,500 and became an unexpected critical and commercial success for Downey. While most directors would have done the expected and expanded their horizons, Downey just upped the ante by doing a Kickstarter campaign that raised $100,000 for this over the top sequel.
What do you get for $100,000?
Better special effects. A terrific electronic soundtrack from Zain Effendi. A longer film. Lots more tongue. Lots more cheek. Lots more tongue in cheek.
Oh yeah, and those boobs in the first second.
Actually, Downey has made a better looking film while not forgetting what made everyone enjoy his first film. While there are moments in the film that feel a bit unnecessary and gratuitous (and the film runs a good 10 minutes or so too long even at 99 minutes), Thankskilling 3 continues Downey and crews tradition of top notch grassroots marketing and stellar packaging that serves as a tremendous model for up-and-coming microcinema filmmakers. You can catch the film for yourself in a variety of ways including Amazon, Netflix and on DVD where the packaging is an almost unheard amount of awesome for an indie distributed release.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
