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Rating
Synopsis
In an unspecified future, Matty Asher (Anthony Kentz) is looking for a new lead singer for his band, Vicious Lips. He lucks out when he finds Judy Jetson (Dru-Anne Perry) at a local talent show and immediately signs her on. She meets the other band members, Bree Syn (Gina Calabrese), Wynzi Krodo (Linda Kerridge), and Mandaa Uueu (Shayne Farris). While the other band members don’t take a liking to her, Judy does a good job at their first show. Matty manages to get them a gig with music mogul Maxine Mortogo (Mary-Anne Graves) at her club, the Radioactive Dream. They steal a ship to get to the show, only to hit an asteroid and crash onto a desert planet. While Matty goes to find help, the girls stay behind, unaware that a Venusian beast (Christian Andrews) is onboard. Will they escape the planet, or will the beast get them first?
Review
Vicious Lips is a film that has a lot going for it only to squander any potential it had. The opening 30 minutes start off really strong, but then the proceeding 40 minutes drag the pacing to a halt. While it’s clear the budget was low, the production design has a unique punk rock sci-fi style to it. It’s very grungy and rundown-looking, mixed in with some neon colors, reminiscent of night clubs you’d see in Los Angeles. Even the spaceship has a charming low-budget quality about it, though it slightly resembles the one from Galaxy of Terror. It certainly helps that the art director was Bob Ziembicki, who later worked on Dead Man and Boogie Nights. Also, there’s the solid creature effects from future Oscar winner Greg Cannom and the ever dependable John Carl Buechler. However, the best part of the film is the awesome soundtrack by Sue Saad.
Unfortunately, that’s where most of my positives for Vicious Lips stop since the majority of it doesn’t work. Even though I said the first 30 minutes were the best part, there’s some quick-cut editing that’s choppy and disorienting. However, once they’re on the desert planet, the next 40 minutes of the film grind to a screeching halt. Most of it consists of the girls sitting around the ship talking about inane stuff that doesn’t advance the plot. It doesn’t help that, with the exception of Anthony Kentz, Christian Andrews, and maybe Dru-Anne Perry, everyone comes off lifeless. Even Linda Kerridge, who was fantastic in Fade to Black, seems like she’d rather be anywhere else than here. It all culminates in an ending so abrupt and confusing, you’ll be left baffled as to what actually happened. Overall, Vicious Lips is a film that could’ve been fun but instead is just boring.
Buy Vicious Lips from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NPVcvl.
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