Straight To Hell Returns

In Straight To Hell Returns, director Alex Cox repaints his 1987 film, Straight To Hell, into a seemingly new cinematic canvas that retains the essence of its predecessor, yet feels refreshed and renewed. The film stars Sy Richardson, Joe Strummer, and Dick Rude, alongside an eclectic ensemble cast featuring several prominent musicians and actors from the 80s. This renewed version boasts of additional footage and improved visuals, engaging viewers in a thrilling post-punk, faux-western escapade.

Straight To Hell Returns revolves around a quirky trio – Norwood (Sy Richardson), Simms (Joe Strummer) and Willy (Dick Rude) who, after a failed heist, find their lives turned upside down. The threesome soon plummet into the chaotic and dusty landscapes of a renegade-infested quasi-Western ghost town. They are outlaws on the run who find themselves swept up in the mayhem of 'Santo City' – a lawless terrain inhabited by a ragtag population of societal rejects and rogue characters.

The film strides through the wild terrains of black comedy and surreal humor, taking viewers on one hell of a wild west ride. It sees Sy Richardson adopt the role of Norwood, a suave and practical gangster whose calm demeanor contrasts starkly with his anarchic surroundings. Joe Strummer, punk rock legend of The Clash, brilliantly plays Simms, a rugged gunman who's as mysterious as he is volatile. Dick Rude's Willy is the inexperienced, rather gullible member of the trio, his performance adding an undeniable touch of clueless charm that is both endearing and comical.

Cox's film-setting is a character in itself. Santo City, with all its grunge and disarray, epitomizes the anarchic pulse of the post-punk era. The skewed shanties and bleak desert landscapes offer an evocative backdrop to the delicious chaos unfolding on-screen. In this way, the town becomes a playground for the peculiar cast of characters – a mix of misfits, drifters, and bandits, setting up a simmering pot of eccentricities that never ceases to astonish.

Further adding to the ensemble of larger-than-life personas are several cameos from illustrious faces from the world of cinema and music. The film includes roles from the likes of The Pogues, Elvis Costello, Courtney Love, Grace Jones, and Jim Jarmusch, injecting an outlandish vibrancy to the film's raucous charm.

The narrative of Straight To Hell Returns doesn't follow a linear path and instead opts for a rambling, contemplative exploration of its eccentric characters. This approach can be challenging, keeping viewers on their toes as they navigate the narrative’s playful meandering. The smart use of symbolic motifs and surreal exaggerations adds rich layers to the film's storytelling, making it a visually arresting cinematic feast.

While the film gleefully dabbles in the absurd and the grotesque, it never completely abandons logic. Cox skillfully balances the film’s audacious style with underlying themes of greed, vengeance, loyalty, and survival that anchor the narrative. During the film's 91-minute runtime, viewers get to experience top-notch action sequences, comedy springing from the absurd, gun-slinging standoffs, and morbidly humorous deaths – all trademark features of the spaghetti western genre to which Cox pays an unconventional tribute.

On the technical front, Straight To Hell Returns strongly benefits from a digitally restored print, allowing for Cox to re-contextualize and visually enhance the original 1987 film in captivating ways. The film's editing, cinematography, and special effects have all been retooled, giving the narrative a more polished, dynamic spin. This restoration balances the film's characteristic raw grittiness with a visually appealing aesthetic that heightens the viewing pleasure.

In conclusion, Straight To Hell Returns is a cinematic experience that thrives on its contrasting elements – set in the gritty western backdrop with a post-punk musical score, a wild assortment of characters in the middle of the desert, and traditional genre tropes turned upside down. It is a film that serves as a cult classic, infused with an anarchic spirit, making it both a memorable and unique viewing experience. The movie is laden with the unconventional, the unexpected, and the utterly bizarre, never failing to ignite curiosity and provoke thought through its rollercoaster narrative.