You’ve seen this castle before.
Not the characters. They’ve never seen the castle. They’re lucky contest winners who’ve been invited by Dollar Tree MTV to spend the weekend in a castle with drunken rock star Cassandra Castle. During the weekend they’ll have the opportunity to search the grounds hoping to find a check, yes, a single paper check, for one million dollars. Find it and they’re rich, but considering this film takes place in a rather spooky castle, will they actually survive to claim the prize?
As for the castle, if you’re a fan of Full Moon features, then you know that Charles Band himself owns a castle, this very castle, and it’s made an appearance in many of the films he’s produced. People complain when Rob Zombie keeps casting his wife, but no one complains when Band casts his castle. It’s a damn fine castle, hell Tom Cruise got married there, and at times it’s the best part of the film, but surprisingly for this low budget schlock fest, there are other darn good parts as well.
It’s not really the acting. 80’s rock star Adam Ant might be on the cover but don’t expect Bowie/Labyrinth levels of participation. While his role as Count Diablo is vital to the story, he’s barely in it. The rest of the cast is made up of some D-picture regulars, an actual radio disc jockey (Richard Blade) and Bunty Bailey, best known as the girl from the famous A-Ha video, “Take on Me.” The acting ranges from serviceable to fun, and no one actor stands out, for either good or bad.
And it’s not the story. Stop me if you’ve heard this before but a bunch of contest winners from across the globe are whisked away to a magical location, owned by an enigmatic man, and have the chance to win big if they don’t break the rules of the location. Those that do are eliminated in sometimes ironic fashion. Yes, it’s almost the exact plot of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but instead of Mike TV there’s a rapey Italian man and instead of Violet turning into a blueberry we get Harlen (Michael Zorek), an absolute pig of a man who turns into a murderous swine.
Maybe that’s what makes the film so charming. There wasn’t a whole lot of budget to go around, but the effects department makes the most of it. There’s an exquisitely designed chair that comes to life and eats people, some dungeon dwelling molestation zombies, and some other fine creature effects that look way better than they likely cost.
Spellcaster isn’t going to win any awards, but it’s fun and better than the sum of its parts. For people like me, who feel like they’ve seen it all, it’s always great when a boutique label like Vinegar Syndrome comes along and puts out a great edition of an enjoyable, quirk-filled fun with some occasionally perfect lines.
“We’re the winners from Cleveland!”
“No such thing kid.”
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
