Kung Fury

Courtesy of Laser Unicorns, Lampray, Kickstarter, and Youtube

Honestly it's a little intimidating to have to explain in a succinct way what this film is, and how it looks and feels. Well, some background information might be helpful. This is actually a Swedish production, written and directed by David Sandberg. Two years ago he wrote a badass martial arts movie, paying homage to the great eighties films of the past. Between the video tape analogue feel of the opening, and the constant one-liners, I am confident that others would say he reached his goal. He funded the project on Kickstarter, and passed the original goal, but didn't make it to one million, which would have made it a feature film. Instead we have this half hour version, which Sandberg had promised would be available online for free. It was nominated at Cannes, but lost to "Rate Me," and is now free on Netflix streaming and YouTube.

 Every element of this film is insane. The backgrounds are mostly computer generated, the elements aren't supposed to mesh but weirdly do, everything is heavily tinged eighties tropes, and it looks and feels absurdist in the best possible way. I only need describe several scenes throughout the film for you to want to watch this: a "Kung Fuhrer" style Hitler shoots into a phone and kills the person on the other end. Kung Fury gets a new partner and it's a triceratops named Triceracop. Thor and his Valkyries live among the age of the dinosaurs and can apparently time travel. Just from those brief descriptors, don't you seriously want to watch this film?

 Most of the cast is completely unknown, including Sandberg as the eponymous Kung Fury. Strangely enough Jorma Taccone, who is a member of Lonely Island, plays the role of Hitler, and does so with gusto that I've only seen mirrored on "Danger 5". Otherwise it's mostly Swedish actors and extras, which Sandberg sometimes had to superimpose in the scene along with separate costumes or outer wear for group shots. While the production sounds like it took a lot of work and technological finesse, the ending product looks anything but. Throughout watching this you will be in a mix of consternation and exultation at its effortless appeal. Since it is free I highly recommend you watch.