By Emil Favila, Reporter

From Kevin Smith (Clerks/Dogma), comes his bold new entry into the horror genre. Tusk tells the story of famous podcaster Wallace (Justin Long), who travels the world in search for the most bizarre storytellers.  When a story lead dies, he is at a loss on what to do for his podcast.  He stumbles upon a note in a restaurant bathroom  of a lonely old man looking for a roommate in the backwoods of Canada. What Wallace is actually interested in is the man’s story on how a Walrus saved his life.

Upon arrival, you could say Wallace had gotten more than he bargained for.  The old man was more than candid about his story on how a Walrus saved his life.  He was so open about it that he wanted Wallace reenact the old man’s tale.  So to speak.  Tusk is graphic and not for the faint of heart.  You could say that this was Smith’s version of The Human Centipede except as a walrus.

What I enjoyed about Tusk, compared to other torture films such as Hostel or Saw, is the character development.  Long’s character wasn’t the most likable protagonist.  Kevin Smith leaves it up to the viewer to decide if he actually deserved the fate he got in the story.  Tusk goes back and forth between flashbacks and the current story to weave together why the characters act the way they do.  I’m not a huge fan of the torture genre myself, but I can appreciate a well told story.

I also find interesting the slant rhyme of how the name Wallace is close to the word  Walrus.  Wallace was someone who loved to talk.  Almost too much.  And in the end he was sentenced to a fate where he could only listen.

What makes Tusk stand out from other torture films, is it’s ability to make fun of itself.  While being in the horror genre, Kevin Smith knows the concept of a human walrus is ridiculous and is not afraid to make fun of itself without being a parody.  What Scream is to slasher movies is what Tusk is to torture movies.  Kevin Smith definitely deserves credit for always trying something new as a director.  If you are a fan of genre movies that make fun of itself, then I would recommend picking up Tusk on Amazon December 30th!

Rating:

ComicsOnline gives Tusk 5 out of 5 fins .

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