HICK TREK

Produced, Directed, and Photographed by Pete and John Shuermann
Written by John Shuermann
Edited by Pete Shuermann

Captain Slim T. Jerk - Pete Shuermann
Mr. Schlock - Michael Fleming
"Horn" McBoy - Gary Ernster
Fluffy - Mari Pittman-Knoche

Some movies just don't know when to end...

That statements a little ironic, considering I just spent some time talking about how HELL ASYLUM wasn't long enough and needed some nice character driven moments of plot development or tension.

HICK TREK is a parody along the lines of HARDWARE WARS or POULTRYGEIST. Instead of the geek humor that made those 20 minute shorts so much fun, we get red neck humor that drags for damn near an hour.

If HICK TREK treated it's mockery of STAR TREK as a single episode, it might have flowed better. Instead we get what amounts to 3 short films strung end to end. In small doses the repetitive humor might have worked, but dragging it out like this only makes the 30 minutes seem flat and dull. It's really a shame too, the first 20 minutes I found cute and funny.

Those that read my reviews on a regular basis should have noticed a rhythm I've unintentionally fallen into. About this time is where I give the brief plot synopsis. To do that would be wasting both our time. If you want to see a parody of STAR TREK, you'll probably shell out the $10 at Suncoast to pick this up regardless of what I tell you. If you don't, chances are you wouldn't be reading this.

For those that are wavering, I'll give a few examples of they type of humor you'll find inside. The R.S.S. Bovine, the ship Captain Jerk flies around in, is made of a pack of Skoal snuff, two cigarettes, and a Budwiser can (hmmm...I wonder if anyone is aware of the copyright infringement). The ship shoots a cow ray....that's a big plastic cow. Schlock wears 1980's sunglasses and loud, cuffed-at-the-wrist jackets.

If you are even mildly amused and still reading this review, just go buy the damn thing. After all, there are worse things to spend you money, like smack or some good rock.

The disc itself is filled with extras including boopers, out-takes, character bios, and even a page of "you might be a Hick Trekky if" jokes. It might have been nice if the filmmakers had produced a commentary track, in character of course, making fun of their exploits. That would have been taking the joke the extra mile, and might have gotten them a positive recommendation.

As it stands, HICK TREK might be a laugh riot for the die hard STAR TREK fan. For the casual viewer, it grows old fast. Maybe I should look into having a Trekker take a look, I could be wrong and they might dislike the movie as much as I did.

Atoz Films