There is nothing like ‘Mad God’. Which is both a good thing, and a bad thing. Good, because it’s one of the most strikingly original movies I’ve ever seen. That’s not hyperbole, because when you see it, you’ll think so too.

Bad, because it’s unlikely we’ll see its like again anytime soon. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly because it took Phil Tippett nearly 30yrs to make it. In between his other paid gigs, he and some talented beginners, set out to make ‘Mad God’.

Over the years things were added and subtracted, with new hands coming on board. Phil Tippett is well known in the practical FX world, most notably Star Wars, and his work shines through in every frame.

The grotesque world our nameless protagonist decends into, is filth infested, with danger lurking at every corner. Faceless husks are thrown into furnaces, some creatures are chased by a large breasted ‘thing’ and brutally butchered. The attention to detail is some scenes really is a sight to behold.

But ‘Mad God’ isn’t without it’s faults unfortunately. At times it can be difficult to discern what exactly is going on, moving forward like a fever dream rather than a film with a cohesive narrative. The movie on the whole works well, but I think a more detailed plot would have elevated this to epic levels.

However, that said, it still grips your attention from the opening frame. Such are the quality of the practical effects, that you find you are unable to turn away. I do hope that ‘Mad God’ inspires other filmmakers to push the boundaries of what makes a marketable movie, and with luck we may yet see its like again.

‘Mad God’ is available to buy on Blu Ray from December 5th 2022.

4/5

JM