Uncle Sam

Rating:
Summary: Serve Your Country...Or Else!
Review: After his helicopter is shot down by "friendly fire" in Kuwait, the charred remains of Desert Storm hero Sam Harper (David "Shark" Frahlich) are recovered by a reconnaissance team and shipped off to his Midwestern hometown back in the States. His sister Sally (Leslie Neale) and his widow Louise (Anne Tremko) are actually relieved to learn that the abusive Sam is dead, because in life he was a fanatical right-winger whose legendary heroics actually stemmed from his propensity for being domineering and downright sadistic. In fact, the only person in town who seems to mourn Sam's demise is his nephew, Jody (Christopher Ogden), who has long worshipped his uncle as the epitome of bravery and manhood.

Sam's burned and apparently mummified body arrives home in a sealed casket a scant day or two before the 4th of July, and when some of the town's juvenile delinquents perform a disrespectful flag-burning ritual at the fallen war hero's freshly dug grave, not even Death can restrain Sam's patriotic indignation. Sam rises from his coffin, appropriates an Uncle Sam costume, and celebrates Independence Day by meting out fatal punishments to the town's hoodlums, crooked politicians, draft dodgers, and anybody else he considers to be un-American. When young Jody discovers who's behind the wave of killings, the lad realizes that his uncle may not be so worthy of admiration after all, and he and a few of his friends set out to thwart the activities of the flag-waving fiend. But will Jody and his buddies be able to stop Uncle Sam before it's too late?

On the surface, 1997's UNCLE SAM seems to hearken back to the early 1980s and the heyday of the slasher-flick. Following the basic formula of the popular films from that era--films such as HALLOWEEN (1978) and FRIDAY THE 13th (1980)--UNCLE SAM centers around a mentally unbalanced individual who inexplicably rises from the grave to become a serial-killing juggernaut, and only a few innocents are able to learn the killer's identity and ultimately halt his murderous spree. The unique variation in this film is that, instead of eliminating promiscuous teens (the typical slasher-flick victims), the unctuous Uncle Sam is picking off anybody who pooh-poohs old glory, hot dogs, baseball, apple pie, or any other icon of the American way of life.

But if viewed as straight horror, UNCLE SAM will read as a rather goofy film. There is actually much more going on here than just a bunch of gratuitous bloodletting. Scripted by indie auteur Larry Cohen--well known for penning and directing way-above-average exploitation genre flicks such as IT'S ALIVE! (1974), GOD TOLD ME TO (1976), and Q: THE WINGED SERPENT (1982)--and directed by Cohen's sometimes-collaborator William Lustig (1988's MANIAC COP and sequels), UNCLE SAM is actually a dark Juvenalian satire of cultural phenomena like blind patriotism, patriotic demagoguery, the romanticizing of war, and misguided hero worship. Although the satirical aspects are more blatant here than in THE STUFF (1985)--Cohen's top-notch feature-length mockery of consumer excess and the smarmy advertising industry that spurs it on--UNCLE SAM still cogently and humorously delivers its message and is therefore a lot of fun to watch. It has also been argued that UNCLE SAM is gently spoofing the slasher sub-genre itself. While it's obvious that this is not the primary theme, it would be difficult to deny that the film does offer a few playful jabs at other holiday-themed slasher flicks.

The acting in the film is above par, especially for a low-budget horror film. (Watch for lots of well-known faces, including Timothy Bottoms, Isaac Hayes, and the cute P.J. Soles of HALLOWEEN fame.) The cinematography is excellent, the attention to color (especially the reds, whites, and blues), the use of shadows and contrast, and the skillful framing in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio at times breathtakingly beautiful. And Lustig's direction is tight but not overbearing, and he keeps the plot moving along at a natural but exciting pace.

In many ways, UNCLE SAM is a family-friendly slasher flick. That's not to say that it's suitable viewing for the pre-teen Disney crowd, but the characteristics typical of the genre have been toned down. Some of the killings carried out by the titular character actually take place offscreen and are therefore merely implied, and even the murders that do occur within the camera frame are not nearly as bloody nor as gruesome as the genre norm. And unlike many horror films of recent decades, the T&A factor is practically non-existent, with only one scene offering a very brief flash of female nudity. For a genre-loving family with children aged 13 or older, screening this film as part of the 4th-of-July celebration could become a fun annual tradition.

The new DVD treatment of UNCLE SAM from Blue Underground is superb. The digital transfer is nearly perfect, with nary a discernable filmic or digital artifact. The sound quality is also wonderful, with viewers given two versions of Dolby from which to choose. And there is lots of cool bonus material, too, including two feature commentaries, the original theatrical trailer, and more.

UNCLE SAM may not be to every viewers taste, but most genre fans who enjoy dark satire will want to give the disc a spin. And fans of Larry Cohen will certainly want to add this one to their DVD collections.

Rating:
Summary: Serve Your Country...Or Else!
Review: After his helicopter is shot down by "friendly fire" in Kuwait, the charred remains of Desert Storm hero Sam Harper (David "Shark" Frahlich) are recovered by a reconnaissance team and shipped off to his Midwestern hometown back in the States. His sister Sally (Leslie Neale) and his widow Louise (Anne Tremko) are actually relieved to learn that the abusive Sam is dead, because in life he was a fanatical right-winger whose legendary heroics actually stemmed from his propensity for being domineering and downright sadistic. In fact, the only person in town who seems to mourn Sam's demise is his nephew, Jody (Christopher Ogden), who has long worshipped his uncle as the epitome of bravery and manhood.

Sam's burned and apparently mummified body arrives home in a sealed casket a scant day or two before the 4th of July, and when some of the town's juvenile delinquents perform a disrespectful flag-burning ritual at the fallen war hero's freshly dug grave, not even Death can restrain Sam's patriotic indignation. Sam rises from his coffin, appropriates an Uncle Sam costume, and celebrates Independence Day by meting out fatal punishments to the town's hoodlums, crooked politicians, draft dodgers, and anybody else he considers to be un-American. When young Jody discovers who's behind the wave of killings, the lad realizes that his uncle may not be so worthy of admiration after all, and he and a few of his friends set out to thwart the activities of the flag-waving fiend. But will Jody and his buddies be able to stop Uncle Sam before it's too late?

On the surface, 1997's UNCLE SAM seems to hearken back to the early 1980s and the heyday of the slasher-flick. Following the basic formula of the popular films from that era--films such as HALLOWEEN (1978) and FRIDAY THE 13th (1980)--UNCLE SAM centers around a mentally unbalanced individual who inexplicably rises from the grave to become a serial-killing juggernaut, and only a few innocents are able to learn the killer's identity and ultimately halt his murderous spree. The unique variation in this film is that, instead of eliminating promiscuous teens (the typical slasher-flick victims), the unctuous Uncle Sam is picking off anybody who pooh-poohs old glory, hot dogs, baseball, apple pie, or any other icon of the American way of life.

But if viewed as straight horror, UNCLE SAM will read as a rather goofy film. There is actually much more going on here than just a bunch of gratuitous bloodletting. Scripted by indie auteur Larry Cohen--well known for penning and directing way-above-average exploitation genre flicks such as IT'S ALIVE! (1974), GOD TOLD ME TO (1976), and Q: THE WINGED SERPENT (1982)--and directed by Cohen's sometimes-collaborator William Lustig (1988's MANIAC COP and sequels), UNCLE SAM is actually a dark Juvenalian satire of cultural phenomena like blind patriotism, patriotic demagoguery, the romanticizing of war, and misguided hero worship. Although the satirical aspects are more blatant here than in THE STUFF (1985)--Cohen's top-notch feature-length mockery of consumer excess and the smarmy advertising industry that spurs it on--UNCLE SAM still cogently and humorously delivers its message and is therefore a lot of fun to watch. It has also been argued that UNCLE SAM is gently spoofing the slasher sub-genre itself. While it's obvious that this is not the primary theme, it would be difficult to deny that the film does offer a few playful jabs at other holiday-themed slasher flicks.

The acting in the film is above par, especially for a low-budget horror film. (Watch for lots of well-known faces, including Timothy Bottoms, Isaac Hayes, and the cute P.J. Soles of HALLOWEEN fame.) The cinematography is excellent, the attention to color (especially the reds, whites, and blues), the use of shadows and contrast, and the skillful framing in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio at times breathtakingly beautiful. And Lustig's direction is tight but not overbearing, and he keeps the plot moving along at a natural but exciting pace.

In many ways, UNCLE SAM is a family-friendly slasher flick. That's not to say that it's suitable viewing for the pre-teen Disney crowd, but the characteristics typical of the genre have been toned down. Some of the killings carried out by the titular character actually take place offscreen and are therefore merely implied, and even the murders that do occur within the camera frame are not nearly as bloody nor as gruesome as the genre norm. And unlike many horror films of recent decades, the T&A factor is practically non-existent, with only one scene offering a very brief flash of female nudity. For a genre-loving family with children aged 13 or older, screening this film as part of the 4th-of-July celebration could become a fun annual tradition.

The new DVD treatment of UNCLE SAM from Blue Underground is superb. The digital transfer is nearly perfect, with nary a discernable filmic or digital artifact. The sound quality is also wonderful, with viewers given two versions of Dolby from which to choose. And there is lots of cool bonus material, too, including two feature commentaries, the original theatrical trailer, and more.

UNCLE SAM may not be to every viewers taste, but most genre fans who enjoy dark satire will want to give the disc a spin. And fans of Larry Cohen will certainly want to add this one to their DVD collections.

Rating:
Summary: SOLDIER OF DEATH
Review: Any movie that ends with veteran William Smith spouting off something called "Desert Fire" has to be a howler. UNCLE SAM is one of those movies that misses more than it hits, but it has such a patriotic pallor behind it, one can see where screenwriter Cohen was coming from. It's not a war-mongers movie, nor a pacifists, either. Just don't mess with the flag when crazy Uncle Sam's around. The cast is comprised of a bunch of B movie actors: PJ Soles; Robert Forster; Isaac Hayes; Timothy Bottoms; Bo Hopkins; William Smith, just to name a few.
Muddled and manic, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Rating:
Summary: Psychotic Movie.
Review: I really enjoyed this movie it was chessy but at the same time kinda creepy.It made no sense that they would send a three year dead corpse to a family's house.I think this was the last of creative Horror Movies brutal deaths ,and funny one liners by Sam Harper.I thought the plot was good Though it never explains why he came back from the dead.Anyhow this a must have for any horror movie fan Collection.

Rating:
Summary: Something new and different!
Review: I was at movie gallery, looking for some cheesy movies and this is what i found...
uncle sam is highly original, and has a very good plot. very realistic and original killings. Killings include: hanging, tree trimmers, gun, meat cleaver, buryed alive, and many more! i gave it 4 stars because tge 1st of the movie was slow and boring, but it came together nicely. and some of the charcters where very annoying! it is definatly diferent but it is batter than alot of movies i've seen! when i first picked it up i though it was going to be cheesy but its not! it definatly has its scary moments and its extreamly gory moments! definatly worth watching!

Rating:
Summary: UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU...to buy the dvd!
Review: OH MY GOD...UNCLE SAM I WANT YOU DEAD IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER!!! A MUST SEE! SCARY, SUSPENSFUL, AND VERY FUNNY! HOLLA

Rating:
Summary: Just like smelling the milk when you know its sour.
Review: Ok, being that this was filmed in my hometown, I had to rent it. With that out of the way, it's kinda like a traffic accident, you know you should not slow down to take a look, but something inside you makes you want to look, such is Uncle Sam. Being a B-Movie buff, I've seen bad, and this is BAD with a capital B. If you're looking for great acting, lot's of horror and great gore effects, you'd be better off renting "Sorrority Babes at the Slime Ball Bowl-A-Rama" (which I DO recommend). This movie is a great plot gone wrong. It's not scary, the gore is terrible, and the acting is right out of your fourth grade Christmas play. In fact it takes 45 minutes before the gore even starts. I'm sorry but if I rent a horror movie,I like things to get a little bloody before I'm ready to pop in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!". But!!!! There is one redeeming quality about this movie, if you and a group of friends are bored on a Friday night and you want to watch a horror movie and add a little dialog of your own, then this is the movie for you, because this movie screams for audience intervention! Believe me, I wanted this movie to be a B-movie bonanza, but sadly it's a B-movie BOMB!. The movie box reads "Uncle Sam Wants You.....Dead..." It should read "Uncle Sam Wants You and Your Video Rental Money!" Take Care! Haunted Mansion

Rating:
Summary: B Movie Gold
Review: Sam Harper went to the Persian Gulf War with a wife in the States and a belly full of hate. His chopper crashed in the desert, a victim of friendly fire, and it took three years to find his body. Now Harper is back home in a metal coffin with a wife who no longer wants to remember him and a nephew who thinks his uncle's sacrifice is the height of honor. Sam's hatred of those who besmirch American values is enough to bring him back to life, and now his hometown of Twin Falls is about to pay a heavy price when this soldier awakens to settle some scores. During the course of Harper's bloody rampage, his nephew Jody learns that a love of death is a poor substitute for love of one's country. Everything reaches a head at the July 4th celebration when bodies start to fall like rain. This is the fundamental plot of William Lustig's bloody 1997 horror film "Uncle Sam." Starring a cast of notables including Bo Hopkins, Isaac Hayes, Robert Forster, and Timothy Bottoms, Lustig's homage to misguided patriotism delivers on several levels while failing on several more.

One thing that works here is the gore, with a nasty looking broken leg, an impalement with an American flag, TWO guys on fire, a beheading, and a hatchet in the head. I also liked the look of Sam Harper as a desiccated zombie who dispatches anyone he considers unpatriotic. Although we don't see Harper for most of the movie because he's dressed in a cheesy Uncle Sam outfit, look for the scene where a dead Harper pins medals on his bare chest. The sound effects in this scene and when Sam walks are unsettling, as he squelches and crackles with every step. I think most gorehounds will like a lot of what they see in terms of special effects in this movie. Throw in Isaac Hayes as a one-legged aging war veteran who feels guilty about glorifying war, Timothy Bottoms as a draft-dodging teacher, and Bo Hopkins as a sleazy Army sergeant and you have B movie gold.

Unfortunately, "Uncle Sam" founders with laughable dialogue and plot holes you could sail the British Navy through. I should vacillate here and mention that a pathetic and fragmented script may go either way. If you don't like to laugh at movies unless they are comedies, then the failings of Lustig's film will bother you. However, if you are like me and occasionally find cheesy dialogue funny, "Uncle Sam" may fit the bill. I laughed repeatedly as this movie lurched and shuddered to its conclusion. Allow me to make a few comments on some of the more implausible scenes and interactions in this movie. I will only mention a few, but anyone with a sharp eye could easily list more:

How does Sam Harper get out of his casket? I understand that Jody undid one of the latches the first time he messed with it, but later we see two latches when Jody and Jed Crawley check to see if Harper is still in his coffin. Besides, Sergeant Twining told us in the beginning of the film that the coffin is 'sealed.' Doesn't this mean there are more than a couple of easily turned latches keeping the casket closed?

I have never, ever, witnessed a gunnysack race where the sacks cover the entire person's body. As if that is not enough, the racecourse goes through the woods where roots, huge fallen logs, and steep hills challenge the contestants. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't think of jumping through a forest in a gunnysack, let alone allow my kids to do so. But they are doing it here, and you can hear people grunting and yelling in pain when they fall down. This scene is so ridiculous you cannot help but laugh at it.

What's up with Barry? Is he Strangelove's kid? Barry appears late in the film; a blind, wheelchair bound youth permanently scarred in a fireworks accident the previous year. Apparently, Barry is psychic, as he always knows what's going to happen with Sam Harper before anyone else does. Not only that, but Crawley and Jody haul him along when they return to the house where Harper's casket lies. Why take a kid in a wheelchair into a potentially life threatening situation? Incredibly, they always leave Barry sitting outside alone when they run around the house or go to fetch a weapon to use against Sam. Barry's in a wheelchair, for goodness sake! How will he defend himself if confronted by Uncle Sam? The capper occurs when Crawley positions himself outside the house with a cannon (!) waiting for Jody to lure Sam outside. Crawley growls "I can't fire with that kid in the way," and Barry replies, "Go ahead and fire. He'll get out of the way!" WHAT? How do you know that, Barry? Oh, I forgot. He's psychic. Barry may well be one of the creepiest characters in film history.

I could go on forever with the bloopers and blunders in nearly every scene of this movie. I'm being a little harsh, but overall I really liked "Uncle Sam." I can't help it; this movie is just too funny to hate. I watched the "Special Edition" widescreen DVD version, which includes a trailer and a commentary with Isaac Hayes and William Lustig. I listened to a good portion of this commentary, and Bill Lustig is almost childlike with joy over "Uncle Sam." His enthusiasm for filmmaking is infectious. Give "Uncle Sam" a chance; it's great, cheesy fun.

Rating:
Summary: A misunderstood classic
Review: Spoilers ahead.Read with caution. I must confess that I actually love this movie. I'm very shocked at the bad reviews and negative publicity it's received over the years.It's awesome and one of the best B-movies ever.The special F/X are really cool and the gore is beautiful.The killings are very Friday The 13th- esque.A teen in a running sack gets his head sliced off with a meat cleaver,another teen in an Uncle Sam costume gets hacked to pieces with a pair of garden shears and a cop gets impaled on an american flag.Sam looks real ugly when he gets unmasked at the end too.The film is surprisingly very entertaining.It's just non-stop entertainment.Overall,Uncle Sam is a very cool and extremely gruesome slasher flick that deserves much more credit.Buy it now! Rated R for gore galore,strong language and brief nudity.

Rating:
Summary: Whoever thought this was a good movie has no taste!!!!!!!!!!
Review: The only reason i gave this movie 1 star because,it was funny as hell.The special F/X was one of the reasons it was funny,like the part where you can see the string when uncle sam gets blown away.Another was the horrible acting.And the funniest part is the bagrace.