Uncle Sam (1997)
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Camp farce about a deceased gulf war veteran who feels betrayed by his country. On the 4th of July he decides to get some revenge when nephew accidentally brings his Uncle back to life. The bad guy finds an outfit resembling the character of “Uncle Sam” and goes around the neighborhood and the picnic in the local park, killing people (see video below). Needless to say he must be stopped and so Isaac Hayes attempts to save the day...without his “chocolate salty balls.”
Overall: I originally saw and reviewed this film back in 1999 but it is now January 2005 and it needed a re-write. A lot has happened since the film came out and when my original review was written (1999). Made in 1997, the President was Bill Clinton and this topic of the Gulf War was more of a fun, egotistical point in US history. We whipped Hussein and we were proud of it. We had forgotten the horrific reality of “shell shock” and whatever else veterans of the war had to deal with. We had nothing really to worry about re: patriotism because frankly, we loved our country and that’s all there was to it. Oh, but fast forward to 2005. We’ve now had “September 11th,” a true test to our patriotism. We’ve invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, toppling their regimes and instituting democracies. Thousands of American soldiers have died abroad and depending on which day it is, 50% of the U.S. electorate opposes our troops "dying abroad." The Iraqi War of 2003-present is such a major deal that the 2004 Presidential election (and subsequent 2006 mid-term elections) was defined by the war and decisions made to enter it. The people opposed to the war are seen as being unpatriotic and the people for the liberation of Iraq are seen as warmongers. Those “evading” the Vietnam War are still being vilified in the bi-annual elections. These issues have really intensified feelings in the last 8 years and Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” is just the latest salvo in the debate. So with that said, is it a surprise that with all the horror sequels, this film hasn’t had one? I don’t think so. In fact, as each year goes by, the themes addressed in this film get pricklier and basically are things you really want to avoid if possible. Back in 1997/99, the film comes off as a slow movie with some fairly unique and inventive death scenes. The soldier/killer was an abusive husband but idolized by a nephew who didn’t know how bad the guy was. And who in the audience is gonna buy the fact that school is still in session in early July? Now, fast-forward to 2005. The film really seems overboard with the themes of patriotism. Some films don’t survive the test of time because of a lack of a budget or the special effects are better as years go by or the acting simply isn’t as good back then. Then there are films which get "technologized-out" such as "976-Evil" where people don’t even use public phones anymore. Then films like this tend to suffer because the public’s empathy or tolerating of certain ideas fade away. This film was much better with a clearer conscience or a more light-hearted view on war. Today, you just won’t have the same innocence when watching this film that you might have. Watch this film, if only to remember a pre-September 11th world. Comparison: Gardens of Stone meets Friday the 13th |
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