Review: Brutal (I)(2012)

First I´d like to thank Michael Patrick Stevens for providing me with a screener. I will not divulge too many details about the plot, at first glance it might look as one of many of the so called torture-porn flicks that came after Hostel but there is much more to it. It begins with Carl (A. Michael Baldwin) finding himself strapped to a chair in the basement of a house... And the owner simply called Brutal (Michael Patrick Stevens) has special plans for him. Brutal is written, produced and directed by Michael Patrick Stevens. Strong performances from the cast, it´s professionally shot and edited and soundtrack is good (it´s composed by Alan Howarth). This film kept me on the edge, and just when I thought I had it figured out it took an unexpected turn... And there is more than one twist in this film and it´s these twists that makes the movie what it is. It´s violent and as the title implies it´s brutal stuff. It´s gory, the make-up fx are very well done. Almost all of it is practical fx but I believe there are one or two moments of CGI rendered fx. Even if some stuff occur off screen I think that gorehounds will enjoy this. No T & A in this.
This review is based upon a passwordprotected online screener supplied by Michael Patrick Stevens,
Rating: 7 out of 7. I love that Brutal has several layers, that there is much more under the surface than expected. It´s dark, and gritty. It´s well made, features good acting and is very brutal. Recommended!!

/JL