Adult Swim wunderkind Jay Edwards' first full-length feature "Stomp! Shout! Scream!" is a nostalgic romp through the adjacent genres of kitch beach movies and even kitchier low- budget monster movies. A film for fans of both Edwards' AS work ("Space Ghost Coast2Coast", "Aqua Teen Hunger Force", "Squidbillies") and of post WWII nuclear age pop culture, S!S!S! is a real treat.
Set during an East Coast tour of a up-and-coming all-girl rock trio, the story plods faithfully through B-movie premises including forbidden love, comic authority figures, and "the big show". Nods to horror, beach, and water-themed movies from the last four decades are everywhere. The plot's punchline is a fun anachronism that fortunately wrecks any hopes of a deeper message, reminding fans that this is the same guy who makes cartoons about meal-deal superheroes and redneck calamari.
Stomp! Shout! Scream! Is shot on 16mm film and has a lot of the glorious primary colors and framing of the classic flicks, although at times some of the lighting and cinematography is downright gorgeous, jumping out of the simplistic realm of those genres. Otherwise, continuity on this film is commendable to even the most anal retentive prop watchers. The movie's soundtrack is a lot of fun and true to the period nature of the film as well.
By Edwards' own estimation, if you're looking for unflinching modern cinema, look elsewhere. But if you want a modern recreation of the early 60s most inexplicable movie constructs, hop aboard and enjoy the ride. Don't ask too many questions and don't dare take your tongue out of your cheek.
***For a valuable cult classic experience, please yell "Skunk Ape!!!" as loud as possible whenever the creature enters frame. And yes, I'm taking credit if the craze catches on.
