Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers

Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers is a reminiscent slice of 80s humor indie horror-comedy that came out in 2020. Directed by Ryan Barton-Grimley, the film stars him and Ari Schneider as the unlikely vampire-hunting hero duo, while also featuring Jana Savage in a prominent role. Combining elements of supernatural, comedy, drama, and poking a bit of satirical fun at the horror genre, the movie is a throwback to the era of classic vampire movies, providing an engaging and entertaining watch for all enthusiasts of the genre.

In the film, we are introduced to Philip "Hawk" Hawkins (played by Ryan Barton-Grimley), a character with a deep-seated obsession with fighting the supernatural urban legends lurking in the quaint town he calls home. He seems to hold on to this passion, even though the rest of society brands him as nothing more than a conspiracy theorist. Additionally, we see the character of his best friend, Revson "Rev" McCabe (Ari Schneider), a sidekick with a more pacifist nature, which nicely squares off against Hawk's over the top hardline attitude.

The plot of Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers is set in motion when, after countless dismissed attempts, Hawk is finally fired from his delivery job. Unsettled by newfound leisure, the character then dedicates his permanent focus to his vampire hunting passion, recruiting unemployed Rev into the mix. The get-go of their journey paints them as inept and blundering, more of a threat to themselves than any supernatural adversaries. Yet, their journey isn't purely comedic, the duo, impressively bonding and standing together, explore their shared kinship as society misfits while diving headfirst into the world of Vampires.

On the other side of the character spectrum, we have the area's real estate queen, Jasper Hawkins (Jana Savage), Hawk's sister. Her character finds herself in constant frustration and embarrassment towards Hawk's outlandish conspiracy theories and antics. The sibling dynamic between her and Hawk adds depth and a touch of familial drama to the layered storyline.

The unique selling point of Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers is undoubtedly its mix of humour, nostalgia and horror elements. Ryan Barton-Grimley's Hawk is uproariously over-the-top and fascinatingly eccentric. Ari Schneider's Rev, on the other hand, functions as the touchstone for sanity and normalcy, leading to countless funny sequences. The movie's sense of humour is indeed its lifeblood, which is deeply rooted in its zany characters and their crazy antics.

Another striking aspect is the old school campy visual quality of the cinematography. The film appears to pay homage to classic horror and B-movies from the '80s, tapping into the ambiance of the era in both its narrative and visual style. The soundtrack is another nostalgia trip, featuring music that certainly harks back to '80s horror comedies. Through this, the director seamlessly blends humor with elements of horror, making the movie a unique encounter.

Fans of horror-comedy will most definitely appreciate the rib-tickling humor, homages to classic horror, and surprisingly heartfelt depth of Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers. Graced with charming performances, a unique, quirky sense of humor, and some surprisingly clever storytelling, Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers offers a tasty bite of indie horror-comedy that embraces its oddball aesthetics with pride. This film strikes the perfect balance of horror, comedy, and just plain fun that is sorely lacking from most mainstream horror-comedy offerings today.

To sum up, Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers is a pleasant departure from the modern day supernaturally themed films. There's an undeniably effective charm in the movie's simplicity and in the outlandishness of its premise and execution. It takes you back to an era where fun was the most substantial element on the table, and it does so consistently, right down to the vibrant, 80s inspired synth-heavy score. A delightful revisit to a bygone era, Hawk and Rev: Vampire Slayers is a testament to indie film-making, blending nostalgia, humor, and heart in one enthusiast horror-comedy package. It's certainly worth a watch by anyone with an appetite for fun, horror, and those unmistakable tints of 80s cinematic nostalgia.