Oregon-based filmmaker Henry Weintraub really loves Troma. So much so that aside from recruiting the legendary b-movie studio's founder Lloyd Kaufman to provide his flick an intro, as well as a role in the Toolbox Murders-like mock trailer for "Night of the Driller", he's also seen fit to homage their biggest hit The Toxic Avenger by having one character wearing a "I Love the Monster Hero" shirt, copied that film's use of over-the-top sound effects, and even named his main character after Toxie's nerdy pre-radioactive waste self, Melvin.

Other comparisons to the still-going-strong New York based indie company can be made as Melvin buys into the Troma school of randomness, rambunctious gore set pieces, and a juvenile sense of humour. But, unlike most fare from Kaufman and crew, Weintraub isn't quite able to keep things cohesive and a general sense of disjointedness hangs over the flick because he's too busy mixing together modern day, flashbacks of our title character being bullied, and footage of the aforementioned mock slasher movie that it got tiring to keep track of.

When we first enter the campus of Delta University nerdy Melvin (Leif Fuller) is being intimidated by some cheerleaders to do their assignments and is being pushed around by some dullard punker bullies. We're also introduced to fellow shut-in geek Norton (Patrick O'Driscoll) who is close friends with Melvin's Sister Wendy (Lilly Maher). However, it doesn't take long for things to get bizarre as Norton is attacked by a now undead Melvin on the way home, which not only gives him bloodlust but also sets him on a path of revenge on the thugs who took their pranking too far and cost Melvin his life.

With multiple scenes of zombies attacking people, a whole slew of decently done low budget gore effects, and so-so attempts at building up the relationship between Norton and Wendy (which, surprisingly enough, does pay off in the finale as gives this its most affecting moment); Melvin works in some ways but stumbles in a lot more. Even at a brief 62 minutes, I felt myself getting a little impatient waiting for the next bloody moment having to endure slender jokes and jumpy plotting. Weintraub does seem to have a good grip on the horror scenes and the production values are better than I was expecting but when it's somewhat difficult to actually relate to the story it tends to dampen your enjoyment.

Despite being top-billed, Fuller doesn't get a lot of screen time but does the best job he can bringing your usual stereotypical "nerd" character to life. Maher's Wendy fares okay too even though her body language does seem awkward at times and I kept getting an odd feeling her lines had been dubbed. But, really, the show belongs to O'Driscoll who's a good sport having to endure plentiful fake blood being tossed around him while coming across as likeable.

I suppose, when all is said and done, Melvin just isn't for me. As I mature, I find my perception of these types of films changing. Granted, I still love the insaneness of early Peter Jackson splatter movies and always appreciate a good gory moment, but I find the whole Troma style of filmmaking to not be something I seek out anymore. If you find yourself drawn to these types of things, I'd say give it a shot. It's over fairly quickly, the effects make-up is really well done, and there's just enough to like for it to be mildly entertaining.

Check out the Chemical Burn DVD release where you'll get decent picture quality paired with a commentary track, trailer, slideshow gallery, an uninterrupted trailer for "Night of the Driller", and a watchable 39 minute behind-the-scenes featurette. (Chris Hartley, 6/27/11)

Directed By: Henry Weintraub.
Written By: Henry Weintraub.

Starring: Leif Fuller, Patrick O'Driscoll, Lilly Maher, Yonatan Schultz.