Uncle Sam

(Blue Underground, 6.29.2004)

I am a sucker for gimmicks, which is why I was originally drawn to Uncle Sam and its holographic video cover (same story for Jack Frost). While I am disappointed to see that they scrapped the holographic cover for the DVD release, I am extremely pleased to see that the cover slogan remains the same: "I want you...DEAD!" This tagline alone is reason enough to pick this DVD up.

Another good reason is the re-teaming of director Bill Lustig with writer Larry Cohen. The two previously collaborated on the popular Maniac Cop trilogy and, very much like the Maniac Cop, Uncle Sam is an angry zombie seeking revenge, while disguised as a benevolent public figure.

Sam Harper is a Gulf War soldier killed by friendly fire while serving in Kuwait. His body is discovered some years later and shipped to his home town where it lays inexplicably in his sister's dining room, awaiting burial. If you think it's strange to keep a rotting corpse in your house, Bill Lustig assures us (in one of two commentary tracks) that this practice is actually quite common "in the Mid-West."

For some reason never explained in the movie, Sam comes back to life on the Fourth of July and proceeds to terrorize certain residents of his hometown, namely the "un-American" types -- flag burners, ex-hippie draft-dodgers, cheating lawyers, and joint-smoking teenagers for good measure. And he does it all while dressed up as that bizarrely creepy American icon, Uncle Sam.

In the end, it is up to Sam's nephew Jody and his friend Jed Crowley -- a less psychotic war veteran played by Isaac Hayes -- to stop Uncle Sam (in the most improbable way imaginable). Did I mention that they rely heavily on the advice of a boy who is blind, disfigured, wheel-chair bound, and psychically connected to Uncle Sam for no discernable reason?

The widescreen transfer is good and the DVD includes quite a few extras. Best of all, there are two full-length audio commentaries. The first, recorded in 1998, includes director Bill Lustig and star Isaac Hayes. While Hayes is fun to listen to, Lustig doesn't reveal anything that cannot be discerned from the second commentary, recorded in 2004. This second commentary features Lustig, writer Larry Cohen, and producer George Braunstein.

In the 2004 commentary, the particpants reflect on the current war in Iraq and the film's potential relevance in today's political climate. They even discuss the possibility of doing either a sequel or a remake. While the film has a message (albeit a confused one), I sure hope they were kidding about that remake.

The disc also includes a featurette about fire stunts with commentary by stunt co-ordinator Spiro Razotos. While largely uninteresting, this extra reveals that nearly every window in town was shattered when some explosions got out-of-hand.

Lastly, the disc includes poster and still galleries and a trailer with yet another hilarious tagline: "just when you thought it was safe to stand up and salute the flag..." (this is a rip-off of the trailer for Jaws, another Fourth of July horror film).

In spite of some major weaknesses (the dialogue, the acting), Uncle Sam is a worthwhile addition to the "special occasion" brand of horror film (think Halloween, Black Christmas, April Fool's Day). For optimum viewing pleasure, add a few friends and beers to the mix and be sure to stay tuned through the end credits for a bizarre stilt-walking outtake. -- Sarah Duda