Trigger Man (2007)

Rating: B
Back to the rating system after having ditched it for The Roost. Why? Because I feel Trigger Man deserves to be rated alongside all of the other big-budget movies. This was a far cry from his first feature-length film, not only due to the fact that it takes place entirely during the day, but because of the superior acting, pacing, suspense, and effects. Hats-off to Reggie Cunningham for masterfully carrying the movie and for his hilarious composure at the Q&A featured on the DVD.

A lot of people are complaining about the pointless "walking around" again, but it didn't bother me at all this time. In fact, I thought this added to the sense of three friends quietly hunting deer in the secluded woods. What did bother me, however, was the experimental camerawork, the constant shaking, jumping, zoom-in/zoom-out, extreme close-ups. I had to look away several times. But, Trigger Man proves to me that Ti West is headed the right direction. Filmed in his backyard on a shoestring budget, he chose to do something completely different and it worked. Plus, the Q&A in the DVD's bonus features was enough to make me a West fan for life. This is worth a watch, or a listen. He loves what he does and is doing it well.

I am now ready to indulge in the film everyone is raving about: The House of the Devil! And then, in two weeks, Cabin Fever 2! If West follows the progression evinced between The Roost and Trigger Man, these are sure to be some worthy films.