Bad Taste

In 1987, auteur filmmaker Peter Jackson released his directorial debut, a wild and outlandish film titled Bad Taste. Starring Terry Potter, Pete O'Herne, and Craig Smith, this New Zealand-based horror-comedy gave first proofs of Jackson's unique skill of weaving innovative narratives with compelling characters and his affinity for iconic special effects makeup and prosthetics.

Bad Taste unravels the story of an eclectic group of civil servants constituting The Boys, a group put together to protect their country from all types of peril. Terry Potter brilliantly plays the character of Ozzy, a thrill seeker with a penchant for foul language and high power artillery. Pete O’Herne is seen in the role of Barry, the de facto head of ‘The Boys’ who possesses an innate earnestness with a tinge of naivety. Craig Smith plays the role of Giles, who although arrives a little later to the scene, brings a much-needed calm amidst the bizarre and chaotic turmoil the group is embroiled in.

The film journeys with this eclectic quartet as they navigate their way through intriguing circumstances in the small coastal town of Kaihoro, New Zealand, which, mysteriously, seems to be deserted. With peppy dialogues, eccentric characters, chaotic action sequences and an interesting backdrop, the film promises a gripping narrative from the beginning.

The movie’s storyline is heightened when these civil servants face an anomaly - they are not combating standard human foes but an intergalactic enemy of different nature. The town is invaded by aliens who for their strange reasons have developed an affinity for fast food, using humans as the main ingredient. The narrative takes off from this point, turning into an unforgeable ride of gore, absurd humor, and genuinely scary moments.

With B-movie vibes and DIY ethos, Bad Taste shackles the hearts of horror fanatics with its deliriously well-crafted mélange of gore and humor. The film exhibits Jackson's ambitious attempt of making a movie out of practically nothing and triumphantly turning it into a cult classic. Woven with self-funded production, homemade props, and a thin yet intriguing storyline, the film pool light on Jackson’s sheer will and creativity that set forth his journey of becoming one of the most celebrated filmmakers.

Bad Taste dials up the gore, but its chaos is purposeful, not gratuitous. The effects lean more towards kitschy and weird, rather than realistic, underscoring the film's idiosyncratic tone and potentially making the violence a bit more palatable to those unaccustomed to horror flicks. The corners cut, due to the limited budget, results in a charming low-fi aesthetic that enhances the movie’s endearing scrappiness.

The film’s location and setting is distinctive and adds an additional deeper layer to its narrative, giving it an enigmatic feel. New Zealand’s gorgeous landscape combined with Jackson’s engaging direction skills makes the movie visually cinematic, a feast for the eyes.

The performances by Terry Potter, Pete O'Herne, and Craig Smith are a crucial factor in making the film feel genuine. Their natural chemistry and ability to bring their eccentric characters to life add depth and substance to the unconventional narrative.

Sound-wise, the film’s soundtrack composed by the team members of the cast enhances the eccentric atmosphere of the scene, heightening the sense of the uncanny and elevating the film’s theme of bizarre humor.

Bad Taste, with its unapologetic gore, campy horror, enthusiastic performances, and remarkably low-budget production, transcends conventional rules of filmmaking, making it a cultural artifact to be appreciated. By adding layers of quirks and character to the standard alien invasion theme, this feature stands as an emblem of Peter Jackson's genius of infusing ingenuity into the bizarre and the power of innovative storytelling.

All in all, Bad Taste provides a sinisterly fun ride for lovers of horror flicks and unconventional cinema. With the right blend of excellent direction, engaging performances, and an underlying current of dark humor, it has rightfully garnered its cult status. Jackson’s audacious debut feature continues to entertain and shock, ensuring that his unforgettable impact in the genre of horror-comedy remains undimmed, making Bad Taste a must-watch classic.