It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To. 2007. Reviewed by Brian Kirst

Continuing in the revivalist tradition of Hatchet, Tony Wash’s highly enjoyable Its My Party and I’ll Die if I Want To combines the brilliant fun of the best 1980’s horror films with some surprisingly inventive modern twists.

Using comic book graphics as its framing devise, Its My Party tells the tale of horror loving Sara, a teenager whose birthday just happens to fall on Halloween. At first, Sara is depressed believing that all of her friends have forgotten her very special day. Her glee upon discovering that they are actually throwing her a surprise party at the supposedly haunted Burkitt place ultimately turns to horror when the requisite ghoul infested slaughter begins.

Writer/director/producer Wash’s love for the fright genre shines through in every joy soaked moment of Its My Party. His build-up to the opening segment murders is deliciously paced and sets the tone for everything that follows. He also works against his low budget with bravado and seeming ease, creating a product that belies its low cost.

Wash is mightily supported by his obviously hard working special and visual effects crew (including Todd Malnar, Christopher Patrick, Steve Winsett II and Stephen Wymer). These guys create some brilliant transformation make-up and some very effective slicing/dicing and stabbings. (Be sure to look out for the Pez like knife through chin effect that occurs in the final moments.) Patrick is also responsible for some very cool and sexily adventurous costumes that cloak the feminine population of the cast in mystery and erotically charged allure.

Said cast is led by the adventurous Adrienne Fischer who offers up a brave, multi-leveled performance as Sara. Alicia Kenney also adds plenty of humor and spice in the smaller role of Jill. Oliver Lucach provides Sara’s cocky friend Travis with a self-mocking humor and he very effectively offers up the Burkitt family legend in a monologue that could have been somnolent but is actually artfully done and fun. Horror legend Tom Savini also appears as an electrician who causes the modern day Burkitt uprising. Savini has a natural charm and grace here and his participation adds a professional endorsement and simply enjoyable air to the proceedings.

From Sara’s delicious karate chopping assault upon her possessed tormentors to one female character’s tense almost-escape, Wash has truly created a fun and bloody adventure. Its My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To is a film that every smart horror fan will surely want to indulge in.

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