Slingshot Cops (2016)
On the mean streets of Woodsville Center, a tough cop named Rusty (Matt Farley) patrols the streets looking to bust an illegal fireworks syndicate. Without the support of the police chief, the mayor, or his ex-girlfriend, he’s a joke to the community. First, he’s forced to see therapist Dr. David Mercer (Kevin McGee) to prove that he’s fit for duty. Then he’s saddled with a new partner, old-timer Officer Wolf, who cares more about cupcakes and laying low until retirement than fighting crime. Things are looking pretty grim but during a routine preppy bust, Rusty discovers that there’s more to Wolf than meets the eye.
A conspiracy more dangerous than fireworks dealers rears its ugly head as a mysterious presence known only as Sensefoot has been terrorizing the townspeople. One touch of its glowing purple foot and the victim will lose their sense of touch, taste, smell, etc. Rusty and Wolf are baffled by these crimes and are at a loss until an Eastern European (Tom Scalzo) comes to town. He is a Sensefoot expert after his village was terrorized by the creature many years ago. These three heroes join forces to rid Woodsville Center of this scourge but is it too late? They’re gonna need a zany scheme to end all zany schemes in order to close this case.
I’ve been reviewing the films of Charles Roxburgh (director), Matt Farley (producer and star), and company since their eccentric slasher Freaky Farley back in 2007 and every time they put out something new, it’s a cause for celebration. They always film in New England which is a gorgeous and exotic land to my Florida eyes. Speaking of gorgeous, the cinematography is on point and the crew is making the most of the beautifully scenic locations. I want to live in Woodsville Center.
Fueled by an excellent electro pop score (by Farley and Scalzo) and a crackerjack screenplay (by Farley and Roxburgh), there’s a lot to love here. My only criticisms are the sound is a little jakey at times (for instance, the Eastern European yelling through a megaphone is quieter than everyone else) and the film could be about 5 minutes shorter. Just a little tightening up before the finale would have made a big difference. But that’s literally all that I can find to complain about.
Slingshot Cops is a criminally unusual film with an offbeat sense of humor that must be seen to be believed. Its heart is in the right place and I was just glowing after watching it. These guys have made a genre-bending little masterpiece that will be hard to top. And I can’t wait until they do. Do you like high fives? Do you like stinky cheese eating Eastern Europeans? Do you like glowing feet? Then brother, have I got a movie recommendation for you!
“Curse these thrill-seeking preppies!”
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