'PG: Psycho Goreman' (2020)


It doesn't take a lot to convince me to check a film out, usually just the title will do. If it has 'zombies' or 'of the dead' in the title then it's a safe bet I'll be watching it (if I haven't already) but it doesn't have to. Anything that's just a little bit mad and comes across as not really caring what it calls itself, that will get my attention every time. A film called something like 'Psycho Goreman' for instance... A title that promises exactly what it says it is. I didn't even bother checking out what it was about, just got on with the serious business of watching it. And then I got on with the even more serious business of watching it again because I can't remember having so much fun with a movie in a long time :o)

The alien Arch-Duke of Nightmares was the scourge of the universe until an alliance, led by the Templars, removed the source of his powers and imprisoned him on a distant world where his allies would never find him. That world was Earth (of course) and his prison would one day become a back yard where a mysterious glowing jewel is unearthed and claimed by a small girl. Now the Arch-Duke walks again but only on the sufferance of Mimi who is in charge of his every move...

This will be a fairly short post as 'PG: Psycho Goreman' (hereafter known as just 'Psycho Goreman') is a one trick pony. Our alien fiend learns about love while Mimi learns not to bully her older brother quite so much, everyone else is caught in the crossfire and will either die horribly or undergo a horrific transformation. That's about the size of it but the good news is that not only is 'Psycho Goreman' more or less perfectly timed (so doesn't outstay it's welcome) but it also proves to be very adept at handling what it's got. It's a ridiculous concept so the film just says 'fuck it' and ramps it up to eleven. The result is a very funny film (sometimes even touching) that comes across as 'Power Rangers on Steroids'. Yes, the costumes aren't great, at all, but everything happens so quickly that it just becomes part of the charm. The death count is surprisingly low but it's all touched up with lashings of blood, and assorted viscera, so there's still plenty to keep you going. And as is always the case with ridiculous movies, I love it when the cast play it seriously (just like they do here).

Does anyone really learn anything by the end of the movie? Not really but, who cares? We've got an evil alien who is touched by the concept of love... and has resolved to add it to his armoury in his ongoing quest to destroy all life. What is not to love there...? Okay, I would say that 'Psycho Goreman' is one for those who have a particular sense of humour and if you don't get it, fairly early in, then it's not the movie for you. I loved it though, a manic cross between 'Power Rangers' and 'W is for Wish' (from 'ABCs of Death 2'), If you make it through the first twenty minutes with a few laughs here and there, keep going; 'Psycho Goreman' is well worth your time.

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