Manos: The Rise of Torgo or The Rise of Torgo for short is a prequel that continues the Manos series. Manos is and was a cult classic, a genre film, classic horror. It's not a bad choice to watch the first film first, I recommend it. You will understand concepts in the remake better. There is a third film that was released around the same time as this reboot of Manos: Hands of Fate. The Rise of Torgo was good for a remake of a movie that essentially flopped and was banished to the subbasement dvd collections of freaky weirdos of yesteryear. Not overly scary, but definitely left-field for most Horror enthusiasts The Rise of Torgo explains the background of the events that took place in the first film of the Manos trilogy. I liked the movie's frightening and somewhat grotesque depictions of both violence and sex. The somewhat hilarious flashback sequences introduce a lighter, more funner Manos that spirited the original into moviegoers hearts. The cinematography could be better, but The Rise of Torgo is a good way to spend an evening indoors.
4 Reviews
"What's The Matter, Baby?! Don't You Want Your After-Bath Ice Cream?!"...
azathothpwiggins28 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
MANOS: THE RISE OF TORGO opens with the god Manos (Jackey Neyman herself!) choosing her minion, The Master (Danny McCarty). Next, the birth of The Master's future subordinate, Torgo is witnessed. We learn that he was raised on fried chicken, soda, and ice cream. He also had a full beard at twelve years of age. That, or he had a sticky face that picked up a lot of lint.
Not surprisingly, his thoughts soon turn to love, leading to his being beaten within an inch of his life by a group of girls. No one but mama (Elizabeth Redpath) seems to like the poor schlub. This explains her giving him baths into his thirties. As luck would have it, events unfold leading to the end of one mindless servant, and the rise of... Torgo!
Yes, my friends, this is the prequel we have all been waiting for! The origin of the unspeakable eeevil is revealed! It's all here: The cackling, goggle-eyed Master and his handy robe! The lackadaisical brides in their odd night clothes! Torgo, in all of his ultimately twitchy, teetering glory! The hellish painting! The unearthly, out-of-place howling! The original music, including Torgo's catchy theme! All! Here!
Purposefully, entirely terrible, this is why cinema was invented!
EXTRA POINTS FOR: #1- The weird grandmas! #2- The "mama vs. bride" battle sequence!...
Not surprisingly, his thoughts soon turn to love, leading to his being beaten within an inch of his life by a group of girls. No one but mama (Elizabeth Redpath) seems to like the poor schlub. This explains her giving him baths into his thirties. As luck would have it, events unfold leading to the end of one mindless servant, and the rise of... Torgo!
Yes, my friends, this is the prequel we have all been waiting for! The origin of the unspeakable eeevil is revealed! It's all here: The cackling, goggle-eyed Master and his handy robe! The lackadaisical brides in their odd night clothes! Torgo, in all of his ultimately twitchy, teetering glory! The hellish painting! The unearthly, out-of-place howling! The original music, including Torgo's catchy theme! All! Here!
Purposefully, entirely terrible, this is why cinema was invented!
EXTRA POINTS FOR: #1- The weird grandmas! #2- The "mama vs. bride" battle sequence!...
Worthless and Unnecessary
epbomb4 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As a fan of the original "Manos and the Hands of Fate", I thought this movie could be fun and a tribute to the original. It was neither.
Bad script, terrible acting, low budget effects, then combined with a pseudo-sexual near incestual relationship between Torgo and his mother left me wondering what it was I was watching.
The Master is poorly made up to mimic the original, but he is a minor part. Manos, the Dark God, plays a big role, but her presence adds nothing and is at best confusing.
Two big thumbs down, this prequel makes the original seem Oscar worthy!
Bad script, terrible acting, low budget effects, then combined with a pseudo-sexual near incestual relationship between Torgo and his mother left me wondering what it was I was watching.
The Master is poorly made up to mimic the original, but he is a minor part. Manos, the Dark God, plays a big role, but her presence adds nothing and is at best confusing.
Two big thumbs down, this prequel makes the original seem Oscar worthy!
Loved it!
georgiameyer6428 June 2020
I am a huge MST3K and Rifftrax fan, so I went into this with a lot of hope. It did not disappoint. It had all the ticks and craziness of the original. I have seen the MST3K and the more recent Rifftrax Live versions many, many, many times and I thought this movie gave a great explanation of the origins of the character Torgo. This movie was made by someone who loved the original "Manos" The Hands of Fate and it shows in every scene.
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