VFW (2019) **1/2

Joe Begos' skill at filmmaking has undoubtedly improved over the course of his four features, but despite directing from a script by other writers this time, and despite the old-time, big name character actors assembled, VFW (2019) still rings hollow and feels like more of the same derivative cinema that he has made his name from.

Begos doesn't attempt to disguise his John Carpenter/Assault On Precinct 13 (1976) worship in the slightest. As with his previous film, Bliss (2019) (which I think is his best work so far; my review here), VFW appears to have been shot on Super 16 mm, giving it a gritty, grainy look, but some scenes are lit so darkly—and the action is so sloppy—that it's difficult to distinguish exactly what is going on. There's plenty of nice, gory violence for those that crave it, but many of the practical f/x get lost in the murkiness and shaky cam. Once again Steve Moore's score is excellent—I've said it before and I'll say it again: he deserves more film work and I wish he had the opportunity to soundtrack better films. 

The heavyweight cast comprise the best performances that Begos has gotten from any actors in his output, and there is a dramatic weight here not present in his other work. But that can't save VFW from feeling too familiar, surface-heavy, and easily forgettable. As recent siege films go, I much prefer Jeremy Saulnier's Green Room (2015). Despite the fact that he makes "genre" pictures, I think Begos has in it him to make something more poetic, something that will resonate with me, so I'll keep checking out his movies.