On paper (and even, I suppose, in practice), the obnoxious narration that underscores most of 'Boy Kills World (2023)' should be the most annoying thing in the world. However, it doesn't take too long for the movie's haphazardly off-kilter vibe to win you over, which thankfully includes the constant inner voice of its deaf and non-verbal protagonist (his eardrums and tongue are painfully removed in flashback). It's not perfect, of course, but each unhinged and unrefined aspect of the piece adds up to the overall frenzied, fever-dream aesthetic that makes this ultraviolent actioner stand out from some of its peers (even though that same aesthetic also pushes the piece into that all-too-familiar post-'Deadpool (2015)' blob that so many people find so very grating). If you can get on its level and just go along with its overworked madness, you're likely to have quite a bit of fun despite the genuine roughness of each and every element (mostly when it comes to the narrative and tone, rather than the filmmaking itself). What makes it easier to do that is the balls-to-the-wall brutality of its frenetic fight sequences. Even though some earlier set-pieces are perhaps a little tamer than you'd like (in terms of gore and excitement), the flick makes up for it with a riotous third act that features a phenomenal final fight that amps up the viciousness of the previously sometimes weightless body-dropping by lessening the scale and increasing the stakes. It's a really good climax and it's what clinches the overall experience as one I'd easily recommend. That's not to imply that everything prior to that is bad, of course. There are several enjoyable action scenes that make good use of gruesome gags (that cheese grater bit had everyone in the cinema wincing) and accomplished choreography. Although it's a bit more ragged than some similarly highly designed stuff, it works well for what it is and the filmmaking leans into its desired aesthetic by including some stylishly abstract shots that put the focus on the feel of certain moments rather than their mechanics. This, in turn, helps to keep us locked into the perspective of the protagonist, which itself gives the film's big reveal the weight it deserves. This twist (which I partially - but not fully - guessed very early on) is a little silly, sure, but it's no more absurd than the rest of the purposefully strange picture and it transforms the initially cut-and-dry 'good vs bad' theming into something surprisingly - and thrillingly - ambiguous. The flick ends up finding an unexpectedly strong emotional core, which makes its final fight even more powerful. Ultimately, this is a flawed but fun action film that's as vicious as it is bizarre. Although its quirkiness is overtly manufactured and toes the line between being charming and annoying, its aesthetic and atmosphere end up being what makes it feel as unique and entertaining as it is. It's easy to see why some people wouldn't like it, but I find it really enjoyable.
Review of Boy Kills World
