Actors: Malcolm McDowell, Elizabeth Daily, Meg Foster, Sheri Moon Zombie, Daniel Roebuck, Judy Geeson
Director: Rob Zombie
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: December 20, 2016
Run Time: 103 minutes
Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of stars
I have been following this project from very closely from before it was even filmed and even got daily updates from Rob Zombie himself during production. I had REALLY high expectations for this film but was honestly let down quite a bit. I am a huge fan of Rob Zombie’s previous films “House of 1000 Corpses”, “The Devil’s Rejects” and even “The Lords of Salem”. This film just felt kinda bland and didn’t really draw me in. I got the whole plot idea and it is cool but it felt like it needed something more, like a hook to snag you. If you enjoy Zombie’s previous work you may did this but other than that audience, I do not see this crossing over or pulling in a cult following anytime soon.
Official Premise: From the visionary mind of the man who brought us House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects and Halloween comes the horrific story of five carnival workers who are kidnapped the night before Halloween and held hostage in a large compound. At the mercy of their captors, they are forced to play a twisted game or life or death called 31. For the next 12 hours they must fight for their lives against an endless parade of homicidal maniacs.
Lionsgate Films delivered this film to Blu-ray as a combo pack with a Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer presented with an aspect ratio of 2.40:1. I love the way that Rob Zombie shoots his films, he has a very unique perspective in his films and I really enjoy it. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track worked well but honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of the score and music used in this film as I have been in the past especially speaking of “The Devil’s Rejects”. In terms of special features, there are only two extras but they are spot on and worth checking out. Rob Zombie gives a great audio commentary track. “In Hell Everyone Loves Popcorn: The Making of 31” is an insane two plus hour in depth set of featurettes that follows the entire production, so if you enjoyed the film this is a must watch.