THE VAULT

Kyle - Michael Cory Davie
Deseree - Shani Pride
Mr. B - Ted Lyde
Zipper - Kyle Walker

Directed by James Black
Produced by J.R. Bookwalter and Chuck Williams
Written by Douglas Snauffer

Full Moon has been on such a roll recently. HORRORVISION and STITCHES were both well made and effective thrillers. The company seemed determined to break away from the "kids-in-a-whatever" storylines that had been pulling down the company for years. Many said it was just a matter of time before Full Moon reverted back to the old formula. A return to form comes quicker than anyone, including Full Moon, probably would have liked.

The set up: a groups of inner city kids travels across town with their teacher to visit a once all-black school that is set to be demolished. The twist: an all black cast that loves to use profanity. The hook: it's a former African voodoo witchdoctor (I thought those cats were from Haiti) that does the killing.

Now how's that for the 2-second breakdown? Did you notice there was no mention of that damn castle? (note: I recently found out that the last Full Moon to be shot in the castle was CASTLE FREAK. If this is true, then why does every Full Moon from 1997-2000 look like it was filmed in the castle dungeon?)

With the typical Full Moon film, a not-so-sharp-eyed viewer can pick out who dies, who lives, and usually within what order. Nerds, jocks, jerks, and "women of easy virtue" just aren't going to see the end credits. Hell, the jerks go out early on and those are the guys that provide the most color.

So who lives? The new kid. The rebel. The shy guy. You know, the boring ones. Just once I would love to see the sexpot make it.

Is the formula really that different than a big-budget Hollywood horror? No, not really. The difference between the two is in the characterization. In the Formula Full Moon there isn't any, barely a lick. Everyone is missing that third dimension, you know, the one that gives the characters depth.

Why would anyone want to check out a movie that has so much going against it? Because you'll see some of the best acting to come from a Full Moon feature since Sheilyn Fenn graced Charlie Bank's lunar palace way back in MERIDIAN. It's too early in James Black's directing career to tell whether the skillful acting is due to the quality of the actors themselves or Black's ability as a director.

I could also go on about Mike King's (DEADBEAT AT DAWN, CHARLIE'S FAMILY) gorgeous video work, but I won't bore you with that. Just know that King is perhaps the most underrated Director of Photography working today. He once shot a documentary on Dead Heads and provided some of the most beautiful full-frame compositions I've ever had the pleasure to view.

The video transfer on the DVD is fantastic. Like HORRORVISION, this was shot HD and filmlooked. If I weren't told so, I wouldn't have known. It looks just like 35mm. The transfer itself is free from blemishes, which HORRORVISION wasn't. The director's commentary didn't seem as rushed as HORRORVISION either, which is something I actually missed. On the disc you'll also find numerous features, but not the shear volume of items found on the HORRORVISION disc. The most notable are a behind the scenes making of the film, a 30 minute ode to director Black, and a special bonus movie, a re-mastered version of the charming Tempe classic, GALAXY OF THE DINOSUARS.

THE VAULT sure as hell won't win any awards for originality, but you knew that going in. You just have to except the mindless nature of the beast to enjoy the ride. And I think I'm starting to do so.

Full Moon Pictures
Tempe Video
Official Site

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