I finally got the opportunity to watch the newest installment of the Vomit Gore franchise; Black Mass of the Nazi Sex Wizard, aka Vomit Gore 4, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I had heard good things before watching, and I was expecting something a little better than the somewhat disappointing Slow Torture Puke Chamber. I can safely say VG4 was on par with ReGOREgitated Sacrifice in terms of story, visuals, gore and overall feeling. This is a surreal journey into hell that I'm going to revisit time and time again.The story is going to be very difficult to describe. I at least had the description on the back of the DVD box for the first three films but when VG4 arrived, the box had no information on the plot (or even the official title). What I got from watching it was that it's a prequel to the original trilogy revolving around Angela Aberdeen before her suicide. That's all I can fully explain, but there seems to be alternate universes and completely unrelated plots going on as well. This is just one you'll have to figure out for yourselves.
The gore in this film is incredible. I won't spoil anything major, but let's just say it took me a while to realize what was a special effect and what was real. These films have, for the most part, featured very impressive practical special effects work and VG4 is no exception. Of course, there's no shortage of vomit in this film. It's all very disgusting and hard to watch at some points. Hank Skinny makes his triumphant return as well (sans his signature aviator shades), and demonstrates his unique talents. There's also some fetishistic elements similar to the third movie, but it's cut down to a minimum here. One other thing that this installment has that the other three films do not is real self-mutilation. These scenes I found to be very disturbing, and the hardest to watch for me personally.
The direction by Lucifer valentine is very well done. Like the other three, it's a very chaotic film throwing images and sound at you at an alarming rate. But you can tell Valentine is really mastering his craft because there's a strange kind or rhythm to it all. Everything from the editing to the industrial soundtrack is pitch perfect. It never feels slow or completely random. Everything you're seeing is there for a reason. Valentine also inserts clips from old TV shows and cartoons, giving the movie a surreal, almost Lynch-like, quality. The movie clocks in at 66 minutes, and every second is used to full effect.Bottom line is, if you liked the original trilogy, you'll like this one. Personally, I was a bit disappointed by the third film, but VG4 put the franchise back on track. I honestly can't wait to see what Valentine has in store for us in the future.
