11/49
The Bette Davis quote shown at the beginning of the film is misquoted
Story
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.. The Hollywood star Maxine puts her cigarette out on is Theda Bara's, the actress Pearl took inspiration from to name her alligator in Pearl (2022).. It is actually "Until you're known in my profession as a monster, you're not a star.". Maxine Minx: Do you know what happened to the last person who tried to kill me?
Edited from X (2022)
I crushed her fucking head.. Fitting with the film's 80s aesthetic, after the credits, a "Be kind rewind" sticker is shown, like on many video store rentals.. Gimme All Your LovinWritten by Frank Beard (as Frank Lee Beard), Billy Gibbons & Dusty Hill (as Joe Michael Hill)Performed by ZZ TopCourtesy of Warner RecordsBy arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing. With 2022's 'X' and 'Pearl,' Ti West created two extremely entertaining, wickedly clever horror comedies, honoring two specific types of films. 'X' is an homage to- and pastiche of- 1970's grindhouse tropes, most obviously 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' while 'Pearl' is a like a warped, 1950's Technicolor melodrama, like the cinematic child of Walt Disney and Dario Argento.
Meanwhile, the Nightstalker roams the streets, and Maxine's friends are dropping like flies
Both films are prime examples of satire, successfully implementing elements of the object they are satirising without becoming that object themselves.With 'MaXXXine,' the newest addition to the 'X' franchise, West aims to send-up giallo and exploitation films of the late 70's, as well as the video nasties of the 1980's and Hollywood set slashers in general. Taking place in 1985, six years after the events of the original, the film follows Maxine Minx, who is trying to make a go of it in the pictures. After landing her big break, she is blackmailed by someone threatening to reveal her participation in the 1979 massacre. Will Maxine finally become a star, or be forced to live a life she doesn't deserve?Enjoyable though narratively uneven, visually, 'MaXXXine' dazzles, recreating the neon-soaked decadence of mid-1980's Los Angeles. However, beneath its glossy surface lies a narrative that lacks the bite, wit and unpredictability of its predecessors.
Perhaps West's intention was to blur the line between homage and parody
Although entertaining, at times the film threatens to become that which it is satirising- a schlocky Hollywood slasher. West incorporates many familiar elements of 80's movies- bickering cops, an over-the-top villain, a seedy P. I., shootouts- but these seem more like cliches than effective satire, as their inclusion lacks any kind of fresh spin or commentary.In 'X' and 'Pearl,' every detail was meticulously calculated, purposefully included to heighten the emotion of any given scene. Here, it feels as if West tossed in tropes just for kicks, leaving one wondering about their purpose. Effective satire dances on the edge, teasing its subjects without falling into their traps; 'MaXXXine' wobbles- sometimes clever, other times clumsy.
Considering West's brilliant characterization in previous films, it's rather disappointing
But in doing so, he risks losing the very essence that made his earlier films shine.Additionally, supporting characters are underwritten, lacking depth or personality. There are no reasons to care for any of them, as the majority aren't on screen for long enough to leave any kind of impact. Those that are start off as cliches- a no-nonsense director, a lascivious Southerner, two cardboard cut out cops- and then proceed not to change.