Adam Chaplin (2011)

Wonderful character development!

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Blistering performances.

How does one review a film that has so many flaws, but ends up being just so damn... amazing?Flaws:First of all, this film really did not seem to care about continuity. Within the first scene, we see Adam decapitate someone's arm, and he is entirely covered in blood. Within the next scene, he's only got some spray on him, and then he's covered in blood again. There are many instances like this, and it's obvious to the viewer. But - as obvious as it is, you just don't care! There are obvious, glaring flaws in the continuity, but they just don't matter. There aren't many people that will watch this for anything other than the fact it is a gory horror film - that's it's charm.Secondly, the acting is... not so great. The film itself is very symbolic, and seems to have put more importance on getting that right, more than having the actors do stuff through the acting. But as bad as the acting seems, the characters are all... amazing. They all felt real. They all felt human. They all felt like someone you could find in the street and not some horror film character who is destined a bloody death.There's something strange about this film - it's flaws make it what it is, the flaws make it... good. The importance with the flaws is what makes this film what it is and that's something that not many film makers can do.The only serious flaw was the CGI was really bad and really broke the overall feel of the film, but again, some of the CGI scenes were really well done, and it looked really good - especially in the scenes with the old film reel effect on top of it. That did look really good, and that was well done, but the majority of it made me chuckle. The story of this film, is romantic in a way. A man goes on a hellbent demonic killing spree to get revenge on his wife, and although it may not seem romantic, the ending, the meaning, the subjectivity of it all really brings it all together in a way that I don't think a romance film could ever really do. Adam struggles, he fights, he just wants to see his wife.The symbolism behind it is just something I can't explain, I don't know how to explain it, but it's there throughout the film. You can see it, you can feel it, and you can really feel what the film wants you to feel, as long as you're not too caught up in the gorefest. It took me two goes watching it to really fully get the symbolism, and honestly, I'm not even sure if I have 100% gotten it.There is so much I could talk about within this film, but I'm not going to. I'm just going to say, if you like gore films, and you don't mind reading subtitles, definitely give this a watch! I was taken aback and totally stunned by this, and I don't think I would have enjoyed this film as much if it had been done in any other way than it was. Thank you, to everyone who made this film. It's seriously one of the best out there - and very probably, true to its tag line as the bloodiest film ever.

When this came out it went immediately into the world of must see extreme gore flick. But the problem was released in Italian language it had to be translated. So far you will only find it common at conventions in it's original language or with German subs. And prices go high for this one. Luckily for the rest of the world there's also a release with English subs.Sadly the one with English subs is 10 minutes shorter then the extended Itakian version but don't worry, even the shorter version will feed the gorehounds. The story in such kind of flicks isn't that important but here we do have an actual simple story. But not for the casual horror geeks because Adam Chaplin always has that demon behind him telling stuff. It's low budget but the effects are really well done. And it's naturally gore galore all the way. Faces being smashed, arms being broken, heads being shot, you know what I mean, all done on- camera.The acting is below zero and all looks a bit exaggerated. After 45 minutes you have seen it all, the way the killings are done and my attention faded away. But it do became a cult flick that is hardly sought by the gorehounds. But if you can stand it until the end, the last 12 minutes are really messy.Gore 4/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

After a long time I finally got something very entertaining to watch. 'Adam Chaplin' as the name suggests is the story of Adam Chaplin (Emanuele De Santi), who desperately loved his wife Emily (Valeria Sannino). They had a happy and complacent family life when his wife went into bad books of the demented and sadistic city mobster Denny (Christian Riva) and his equally animalistic sons Derek (Giulio De Santi) and Ben (Paolo Luciani). Emily had borrowed a sum of money from Denny but due to inability to pay her debt on time, she is brutally burned alive by Denny and his sons. Adam is living a secluded and sad life and is all set to exact revenge on the gangsters. For this Adam conjures a demon and promises to give his soul to it once his revenge is exacted. The demon makes Adam's right shoulder its residence and gives Adam supernatural strength to bring down his enemies. Armed with supernatural strength, Adam is now on the trail of his enemies and will not stop unless he has killed them all.The story is fairly simple at heart, but is also bit different from the others because of the demon. Emanuele with his chiseled body and rolled up eyes looks threatening and different from most other protagonists. His brutal killings make him demonic and fearsome. The viewers may forgive his attitude for the cause he is after his foes. The gore is great and above everything, so you may literally want to take bath after the film is over. I enjoyed this film for its simple storyline and the presence of demon, who talks strange and makes Adam's enemies die of severe hemorrhage with blood imploding out of their bodies. This one is fun to watch because of witty one liners specially the ones spoken by the demon. The film uses bluish color tone for no apparent reason (maybe to induce creepiness?), which is a drawback. I believe it should have used the color scheme Alexander Aja used in 'The Hills Have Eyes' remake. The fights are brutal, violent and blood-soaked. Adam tops the punching chart with around five to six hundred blows in one go, making the pulp out of his foes. Denny's part is menacing and the viewers may find his actions very gruesome and inhuman. He and his sons behave like true psychopaths, who don't have a corner left for humanity in their hearts. So viewers will never empathize with them when they get fairly more than what they deserve. Another interesting character is Mike Carerra (Monica Muñoz), who is hell of a sociopath and doesn't like to talk to anyone. He is an Army veteran, whose list of war crimes is longer than the days he has lived on Earth. He is a killing machine and the gangsters deploy him to avenge Adam.Emanuele De Santi is the new name in the world of gore, and 'Adam Chaplin' is like the Mecca of gore freaks. However, unlike Peter Jackson's 'Braindead', 'Adam Chaplin' has a serious storyline and every violent act has a genuine cause, so those looking for the tint of comedy in this will be somewhat disappointed. I am really happy to see Italy back in action. I really lament the death of Lucio Fulci, who I consider the enforcer of gore and violence in serious horror films. Ruggero Deadato is another name here, but he has confined himself within the limits exploitation horror. 'Adam Chaplin' is not an exploitation horror, as those who are punished are no Mr. goody-to-shoes. Overall, this is a great entertainer and we are hearing good tidings from Italy now. I hope to have a sequel of this with equally awesome actions or even more. I now remember the tag line that says "Nothing can prepare you for this extreme fight" and I guess Emanuele De Santi was right about this.

I don't to do a plot summary here and do my rating directly! Finally my UK DVD from Scanbox of this movie arrived i was eagerly waiting for! I have heard a lot about it and also saw material on YouTube and was dying to see it. Emanuele de Santi's Debut is a Hell of a Movie that was made on a shoestring of a budget. Ultra Violent,Blood Drenched,Body Ripping & Head Splitting! One of the best Low Budget Movies i have seen in years,and trust me that i have seen a lot! ADAM CHAPLIN is far away from Splatter campiness. You can see that de Santi had a Vision of his Movie and he was able to realize it like he wanted! You also can notice that the Production Company NECROSTORM gave him the freedom to make decision and that they trusted him to make the right decisions for his Movie. You see that he is a Fanboy who is influenced by Movies like FIST OF THE NORTH STAR,STORY OF RICKY,BRAINDEAD,THE CROW etc. But instead of just copying parts and patterns of his favorite movies he uses the influences as a nutritious food for his own movie. Emanuele de Santi is a One Man Army; he directed,was involved in the Special FX,wrote & composed the Score,wrote the script and also plays Chaplin. For the movie they extra invented a new technique for the Special Effects called H.A.B.S. (Hyperrealistic Anime Blood Simulation) and this technique makes the SFX very unique. I love the fact that they used mostly handmade FX instead of making them all on the PC and only used the H.A.B.S. as enhancer for the FX. But the Digital FX that are in the Movie are great too, a few realistic looking Bullet Time FX, downpouring Rain and Digital FX in the End Sequence could be from a Hollywood Blockbuster Movie! The plot of the movie isn't anything that hasn't been told yet and maybe isn't very surprising,but in the year 2012 there are not many stories that haven't been told anyway. But what makes this movie recommendable is how the Story,the Effects,the Score and the Atmosphere add up and make ADAM CHAPLIN complete and highly entertaining! I think de Santi's story is influenced by THE CROW and also GOETHE'S FAUST. Personally it also reminded me on Jim van Bebber's DEADBEAT AT DAWN in which the Gang Leader wants to avenge his killed Girlfriend. Also the setting of Heaven Valley reminded me on DEADBEAT AT DAWN;wasted and trashed houses,an environment so cold,grim and dark nobody wants to live in or can survive in without going crazy. The whole setting also reminded me on all the 80's Italian Post- Apokalyptic Movies like BRONX WARRIORS or METROPOLIS 2000. The hazy blue filter they used in the movie is a great enhancer to make this whole scenario more believable and dismal. Now just mix in some Japanese Comic influences and gallons of gore and you can imagine how ADAM CHAPLIN looks like. Have you ever watched the Live Action Adaption of FIST OF THE NORTH STAR with Gary Daniels(1995,Tony Randel)? Do you still remember how disappointed you were while and after watching it? Don't worry, things gonna be okay again now , cause ADAM CHAPLIN looks like the FIST OF THE NORTH STAR Live Action Movie SHOULD HAVE looked like! The whole cast of the movie is well chosen, there is no single actor that makes you think you are watching a porn with cheesy dialogues when they speak. Sure, some of the Actors are overacting, but on purpose cause each single character is kinda crazy & freaky. Almost all of the Characters look like degenerated mutated freaks. The only person who looks normal is Adam. I think the reason for this is : there is not a single person in this country who is kind-hearted except Adam. There is also symbolism in the movie: The name of the country is Heaven Valley, but there are upside down turned crosses everywhere,everyone is corrupt and under the control of a Gangster; it is paradoxical and the name of the Country should be something like Hell Hole instead of Heaven Valley. A lot of Low Budget Movies from all over the world just look cheesy,stupid and totally cheap but De Santi was capable to get away from this path and delivered a Movie that does NOT look like it is filmed on Digital Video for a Direct-to-DVD release at your next Blocksucker Video Store! Believe it or not, but ADAM CHAPLIN makes your jaw drop while watching it. I plead to give Emanuele de Santi more money to make another movie. Just imagine what he and his enthusiastic Crew around him will come up with when they have a Big Budget! ADAM CHAPLIN is highly recommendable and i am sure this Movie will become a Cult Classic as soon as the word spreads! Get your DVD now and have a hell of a time in Heaven Valley! Support the Creators & Producers with your purchase of the DVD that they can deliver us more of their cinematic visions in the future! The DVD has clean & crisp video and same for the audio. The Picture Format is 16 x 9 Anamorphic Widescreen and the Audio Track is Dolby Digital 2.0 in Italian with English Subtitles. You can purchase it as UK DVD from Scanbox,who put out a great release. But I personally suggest to order it from the Production Company NECROSTORM directly cause their Disc has some additional Bonus Material that is not on the DVD from Scanbox and includes a Comic Book too. The Necrostorm DVD is written on DVD-R support with a special procedure that permit to create unique copies (digitally different from customer to customer). This procedure even improve quality, risistance, longevity of DVDs.You can order the Scanbox DVD usually on Amazon(where i ordered mine) or you buy the Necrostorm DVD