Edge of the Axe (1988)
A late entry in the eighties slasher cycle courtesy of director José Ramón Larraz. One of those films (Pieces is another example) where Spain doubles as California. However that's not to say it's a poverty row slice of movie making. It really isn't.
Production values are high and there are some great sequences of location filming including a genuinely creepy stalk and slash scene with gorgeous use of colour which culminates at the railway line. In fact all the murders are well done even if they are kinda samey. I mean. An axe attack is always an axe attack. However i didn't guess who the killer was. Yeah, i thought it was the other one....
Admittedly one or two talky stretches had me reaching for the Highland Park but on the whole Edge of the Axe is a well made, fairly effective slasher film.
I thought the Arrow Blu-ray of the film was beautifully restored and looked rather special...
....Then i watched Skyfall (2012) tonight and that HD image made Edge of the Axe look like a tenth generation vhs rip.
A hugely enjoyable entry in the Daniel Craig series of films with some memorable action sequences and superb performances by Craig, Ben Wishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and a standout from Judi Dench. In the past i'd always thought Casino Royale head and shoulders above the rest of Craig's output but on a third or fourth viewing i reckon this is just as good.
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