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Joe Stryker (Review)

Director(s) – Ryan Cadaver and Kevin Slayfield
Starring – Joseph Paul Watts Sr. (Blind Date With a Southern Baptist), Jimmy Harper, and Jon McCollum (Frankenthug, Amazon Hot Box)
Release Date – 2019
Rating – 4/5

Tagline – “Justice is his jurisdiction”

I get a lot of indie horror productions sent my way from different companies like Wild Eye and Troma but it’s rare that I get indie films from other genres. Sometime back I posted on Instagram that I was watching the new stoner comedy from Mostly Harmless Pictures, Jessie’s Super Normal Regular Average Day.

A few hours later I was contacted to review the new indie action film Joe Stryker from Ryan Cadaver and Kevin Slayfield. I was sent the trailer and immediately hooked once I saw it. A few days later I received the blu for review and I couldn’t wait to toss it in. Thanks Jon for hooking me up!

**Spoiler Alert**The film follows hardened police detective Joe Stryker (Watts) who is struggling with losing his wife. He has been secretly working her case even though he is instructed by the chief to abandon it. While working a case he is taken down a drug dealing rabbit hole that may have ties to his wife’s death. The one responsible is a local business man who is personal friends with the police chief and the mayor. It’s up the Joe Stryker to bring him to justice without the help of the police force and the town he is fighting to save from corruption. **Spoiler Alert**

The trailer looked fun but I wasn’t expecting to like this one as much as I did. Hell, I was expecting to find most of the fun in the trailer followed by the rest of the film being complete shit. I was wrong. Joe Stryker was an extremely fun film that I hope has countless follow ups.

The acting in this one is fucking phenomenal. The entire cast delivers unforgettable performances and brings to life characters that are over the top and entertaining. The film’s star, Joseph Paul Watts Jr., may not look like your typical hardened cop with years on the force but he does a fantastic job and playing one. Don’t let his Black Label Society looks fool you, he is Joe Stryker and does a fantastic job with it.

The supporting cast is just as entertaining. Jimmy Harper is fucking hilarious as Angelo, the street dealer. I don’t know where they found this mother fucker but the fact that his imdb only has one credit is a fucking tragedy. Get this man some more roles! I also really enjoyed Jon McCollum’s performance as well. Her does an amazing job bringing the slimy crime boss to life. His charisma on screen is fantastic and I loved how dedicated to his role he is.

The story for this one is nothing new but it is still fun. We follow a my way or the highway cop as he brings down a rich crime boss with ties to city officials. Nothing new here but what makes this movie so much fun is the characters and the throw back to some elements of 80s cinema that defined the decade. The movie does get a little slow at times but the characters help carry the story just fine.

Finally, those of you looking for the blood won’t find it here like you are accustomed to with the indie horror that I typically review. However, is CGI explosions are up your alley then you are really in for a treat. Overall, Joe Stryker is a must for fans of 80s and 90s action films. The one liners are fucking classic and the characters truly need to be seen to be appreciated. This is the movie you get when a metal head and fan of Cobra makes an action film. Check it out!

Blacktooth

(Staff Writer) Lover of all things horror and metal. Also likes boobs and booze.

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