Blu-Ray Review: Bounty Killer

By Brad Henderson

Exploitation is a term that isn’t used with newer films, although every so often we get a film that looks like it’s from today but has the throwback feel. Bounty Killer is one of those films. However, Bounty Killer never claims that to be a throwback and that’s what I really enjoyed about it. If you are mainly inspired by older films and want to really hit hard with the audience who loves that type of thing, do not call your film a throwback. It ruins everything.

Mostly every flick I’ve seen with a tagline stating that it’s a throwback or should have been released in the ’70s and ’80s blow goats. Sorry for being so blunt, but that is the truth. Nowhere (other than reviews, maybe) does Bounty Killer state that it is doing this. It is a little obvious that Bounty Killer was inspired by films like They Call Her One Eye, Mad Max, and countless other titles, but it doesn’t go to the extent of trying to prove that it is. Directors really want people to know that they “love” movies by showing it in theirs. Really? Who cares if you love them? You can simply show that by making a great film. You don’t have to smother your film with it.

Bounty Killer may not be great, but the feel of the film and how it is presented are. It has all of the exploitation elements and uses them wisely and in a fun way. The film does have its issues, though, and they may turn your stomach. The use of CG in the film is bad at times and I know this is more than likely due to budget issues. However, most of the gore is so good it hurts. You may not think there will be a ton of gore is this film but I was surprised that there is actually quite a bit. Not all the gore and effects are practical and even they decided that CG blood was a good idea, it wasn’t; it never is. I can’t see the reasoning since they had such a great effects team for the gore.

The story for Bounty Killer is actually pretty great: bounty killers compete for the biggest body count and are looked at as celebrities. They try to end the lives of people that head corporate greed. The film’s highlight is, by far, Christian Pitre; she is attractive and super cute in this role as well as a badass. So if you are in the mood for a fun and cheesy action flick, Bounty Killer is the way to go.

Bounty Killer was released in theaters and VOD by Arc Entertainment on September 6 and on DVD on October 29.