David Wong meets a journalist (Paul Giamatti) at a restaurant and recounts his story of his experiences with the Soy Sauce, a mind-altering drug that chooses its user.  David and john are thrust in a quest to save the planet from an invasion of bugs which climaxes in their journey to another universe where they must face an otherworldy presence that wants to cross over. Along the way David and John get help from Amy (who has one hand), a dog, a police detective (who just doesn’t want to understand what is going on and destroy the evidence of what is going on), and Dr. Albert Marconi (Clancy Brown)

JOHN DIES AT THE END is one weird movie as our unlikely heroes (who are college dropouts) go through a mind bending trip as they experience things that normal human beings (not under the influence of the Soy Sauce which alters their perception).  It has lots of ideas and sometimes the special effects budget does show its shortcomings.   It is an entertaining film, but I don’t find it as good as films like the PHANTASM series or BEASTMASTER.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Feature audio commentary with Writer/ Director Don Coscarelli, Producer Brad Baruh, and Actors Chase Williamson and Rob Mayes

GETTING SAUCED: THE MAKING OF JOHN DIES AT THE END which is a promo featurette which gives two interesting facts on how Coscarelli first discovered the book through Amazon and how he used the Festival circuit to test the film (while being mindful of the fans who liked the book).

CREATURE CORPS: THE EFFECTS OF SOY SAUCE goes behind-the-scenes of the effects of the movie as you get to see the test footage for the ceiling spider and the Meat Monster.

Also included are the casting sessions with actors Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, and Fabianne Therese in addition to a Fangoria interview with Paul Giamatti and the trailer for the film (the red band and green band trailers).  Previews for other Magnolia releases round out the extras.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  JHN DIES AT THE END is a unique and strange horror sci-fi film from Don Coscarelli.  The film isn’t up to the standards of the PHANTASM series or BEATSMASTER, but it is still an entertaining film.

This DVD review is (c)4-7-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com