I finally tracked this one down today! I gave it a spin and ended up really loving it!
Its a great way to spend an little over 90 minutes with just how it plays with the trappings of its genre and turns them on its head while still being a pretty fun example of the genre!
3 Likes
Mickey13
November 19, 2024, 4:00pm
162
Copied from the Spagvemberfest 2024 thread:
In spite of some emblematically Italian violence and Grimaldiās stylish execution, the tout ensemble does not exactly pan out in virtue of its underwhelming script. The story essentially combines elements of a Zorro yarn and a revenge arc, ultimately proving interesting in neither regard. The issue consists in that the Zorro whodunit component, for want of a better phrase, is quite tenuous and it is easy to see how the mystery is going to unfold in the long term. The vengeance subplot, on the other hand, does not figure prominently in the proceedings until right before the climax, so what constitutes narrativeās main pillar for all intents and purposes enters the equation belatedly for the most part. As a consequence, the storyline boils down to a ceaseless back and forth between Starblack and the local bad guy, the former assisting the poor townsfolk in repelling the assailants sent by the primary antagonist and then the latter throwing a tantrum, after which all goes back to square one. Needless to say, this makes for a rather repetitive watch, however, Grimaldiās vigorous execution, filmās bounteous dispensation of violence and a number of memorable scenes, e.g. Starblackās poker game, ensure that the project stays fresh despite its various failings. Hence, its defects notwithstanding, this one is pure spaghetti and for that, well worth a view.
