BLU RAY REVIEW: EXORCISM AT 60,000 FEET (2019)

I don’t recall who originally said this, but it was something to the effect of “horror-comedies are usually neither scary nor funny”. While the knee-jerk reaction is to spout off your top 3-5 horror comedies as a means to disprove this point, it also ironically makes it clear that there are no prime examples of a horror comedy that achieves both desired outcomes. One could argue that horror-comedy is a sub-genre and therefore does not have to meet the requirements of both genres equally, and in the worst cases, even the bare minimum for one of them. All of this discourse strays us further from the point that ipso facto is also confirming that this is not as much a “horror hot take” (credit to the Shock Waves Podcast) as it is a “horror hard truth”. The things we don’t want to be true, but logically are. Feel free to put me on blast in the comments, as I would love to be wrong!

That brings us to 2019’s “EXORCISM AT 60,000 FEET”. Directed by CHAD FERRIN and starring a true who’s who of cult, horror, exploitation, and genre film of the past 30 years. While I can’t say it succeeds with any of the many lures it casts, it has moments that will make you giggle and smirk even if you do feel a little bad about it.

Amanda (BAI LING) keeps passengers awake for the madness

What’s It About?

The plot here is really more of a premise, and all of the beats feel in a way improvisational. Father Romer (ROBERT MIANO) is the Charles Bronson of priests who is in pursuit of the elusive demon Garvan (BILL MOSELEY) in and out of bodies he is possessing until Father Romero captures him. Father Romero takes the demonic remains on a plane to Vietnam, as you do, upon which literal hell breaks loose as Garvan reanimates and begins terrorizing the passengers and crew. Will they make it to their final destination in one piece or in pieces, and what kind of crazy hijinks will ensue along the way?!? (That last bit isn’t a tag line, I’m just having some fun)

Is It Any Good?

That really depends on what you find funny. While the aforementioned description focuses mostly on the horror elements of the plot, the movie is almost exclusively a comedy with some gore gags tossed in for good measure. This isn’t a knock on the film, but it is something of a missed opportunity to achieve that pinnacle of peaks the coveted 1980’s Zucker Brothers classic “Airplane!” with a demon instead of plane damage. Right down to the humor, which seems to hit the exact same stereotype comedy beats just with a lens on the expanding audience of people and groups to deploy this tactic at. 

I’m not making a moral judgment here as much as I’m saying that if that is a make or break for you, you’ll know within the first 10 minutes.

Mrs. Montegue’s (ADRIENNE BARBEAU) service animal is acting out of sorts

I mentioned in the synopsis an improvisational tone to much of the movie, and it can’t be understated that it very much feels that way throughout the majority of the movie. I found myself occasionally grimacing with a bit of guilt at some of the jokes within, and as someone who appreciates the trashsploitation that is Troma, it’s quite clear that the intention here wasn’t to make a serious horror film or hide the fact that it’s basically a series of running visual gags and personifications of famous joke starters (there are is a Rabbi, a Priest, and a devil of sorts on a plane).  There is a little person who plays an overgrown baby who has visible eyebrow piercings and tattoos, so they aren’t shying away from obvious absurdity. Which is what I think is the missed opportunity. 

See, the idea of an exorcism having to occur on a transcontinental flight is a terrifying idea in concept. It also makes itself easy for parody, a la “Snakes on a Plane”, but the premise itself can be bent to favor both outcomes. What is put together here is an extremely competently made film with good music, an obvious appreciation of letting the cast have a good time, and many attempts to at least get the viewer to chuckle even for a second. I just wished it took the material a little more seriously, as it could have been a lot of fun that way as well.

Garvan (BILL MOSELEY is having a rough flight…

Look, Sound, Extras?

I was fortunate enough to be sent a blu ray copy of the film to review, and everything looks and sounds great! The score by RICHARD BAND is on-brand as it feels eerily familiar and yet just different enough to stand on its own. The film is presented in 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.78:1), includes a DTS-HD 5.1 audio track as well as a Stereo audio track. The extras included are a series of behind-the-scenes short films that look at the making of the film, the practical effects, and even a bit with Bill Moseley celebrating his birthday on set. 

Last Rites?

If you fancy yourself a crude and over the top comedy that is a spiritual sister to Troma films, you are in good hands with “EXORCISM AT 60,000 FEET”. If that kind of humor doesn’t do it for you, you’d be best to skip this round.