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Jimmy Zip: Reloaded Review
Image Credit: Boom Cult
Loading...Jimmy Zip: Reloaded Review
Brendan Fletcher– Jimmy Zip
Adrienne Frantz– Sheila
Robert Gossett– Horace Metcalf
Chris Mulkey– Rick Conseco
James Russo– Otis Campbell
Cristos– Julio
John Snyder– Frank
Gregorio– Snake (as Zia)
Kim Sill– Diedra (as Kim Dawson)
Ike Gingrich– Dick Portsmith
(check out the rest of the cast here)
Directed by Robert McGinley
Screenplay by Robert McGinley
Distributed by Boom Cult
Not Rated (the original version was Rated R for violence, language, sexuality, and some drug use)
Runtime– 112 minutes
Preorder Jimmy Zip: Reloaded on DVD and the movie’s soundtrack here
Jimmy Zip: Reloaded, written and directed by Robert McGinley, is an updated version of the award winning movie Jimmy Zip that was released way back in 1999. Reloaded has been remastered and re-edited, although I have no idea how, exactly, the movie has been re-edited (I haven’t seen the original version of the movie). Regardless, Jimmy Zip: Reloaded is a thoroughly entertaining and fascinating story of a troubled but resilient young man trying to make his way in a rough and tumble, sleaze filled world. If you love movies, you need Jimmy Zip: Reloaded in your life (you can preorder the Jimmy Zip: Reloaded DVD and soundtrack at the official Boom Cult website).
Jimmy Zip: Reloaded stars Brendan Fletcher as Jimmy, a troubled teen with a penchant for blowing stuff up with fireworks and other explosives, a general love of fire and flames, and a super terrible home life (Jimmy lives in a foster home with one of the worst father figures in cinematic history, brilliantly played by Ike Gingrich). After dealing with one final abusive episode perpetrated by Gingrich’s Dick Portsmith (God, that’s such a great asshole name), Jimmy decides to run away from home and try to make it on his own. Leaving with only a duffle bag with clothes and his bicycle, Jimmy wanders the mean streets of Los Angeles not sure of exactly what he’s going to do and where he’s going to go. Jimmy runs into a gang of street hoods led by a guy named Snake (Gregorio, working under the name Zia). At first, Snake and his band of street toughs want to rob and beat the shit out of Jimmy, but Sheila (Adrienne Frantz) gets Snake and the others to leave Jimmy alone. In fact, Sheila manages to get Snake to teach Jimmy how to hustle on the street for money (Snake teaches Jimmy how to do the old “wipe down a stopped car’s windshield for money” scheme). During one of these hustling sessions, Jimmy wipes down the windshield of a car owned by well-dressed businessman Rick Conseco (Chris Mulkey). Rick immediately takes a liking to Jimmy and offers him a job as a courier, which Jimmy accepts in principle (Rick gives Jimmy $60 as payment for the windshield cleaning).
After getting something to eat (Jimmy goes to a diner and basically inhales a piece of apple pie), Jimmy is beaten and mugged by Snake and his fellow hoodlums because Jimmy didn’t give him a cut of the money he got from Rick. When Snake and the others leave, Sheila takes Jimmy to her secret hiding place and patches him up. Jimmy and Sheila then talk and we find out that Sheila wants to go back to school (that eventually becomes important later). Jimmy just wants a job so he can start earning a living. But where is he going to get a job? Jimmy did agree to work for Rick, but what the heck does being a courier mean? Wouldn’t it make more sense to try to get a “real” job at a fast food place or something?
So Jimmy tries to get a job at a taco place but strikes out because he doesn’t have a permanent address. Feeling like he has no other choice, Jimmy calls Rick and fully accepts the courier job offer. So Rick sends a car to pick up Jimmy, the car’s driver takes Jimmy shopping, and then Jimmy meets with Rick face-to-face to find out what, exactly, the courier job is all about. Basically, Rick is a crime boss. Rick runs drugs and prostitutes (and probably other criminal schemes he doesn’t get into here). Jimmy’s job as courier is to deliver drugs to Rick’s various clients and then collect fees for those deliveries. Rick tells Jimmy that because Jimmy is underage if he’s caught by the authorities it won’t be that big of a deal. And Rick will always back Jimmy up as long as he does a good job, doesn’t steal, and doesn’t do drugs himself (it’s not good to get high on your own supply when you’re in the illegal drug business).
So Jimmy starts doing his new job as Rick’s drug courier and over a short period of time does a good job. Rick then offers Jimmy a special job that needs to be done immediately. Jimmy accepts and then does the job. However, instead of coming back to Rick’s with the special job payment, Jimmy decides to “take a break” and hangout. While hanging out, Jimmy runs into Snake and Sheila and suddenly he has new friends his own age. So Jimmy messes around with Snake and Sheila, and they eventually go to a nearby junkyard to fuck around. In the midst of fucking around, Jimmy encounters junkyard denizen Horace Metcalf (Robert Gossett), gets into a scuffle with the “troll” (that’s what everyone calls Horace), and loses his jacket with Rick’s money envelope in it. Horace picks up the envelope, opens it, and finds a gigantic stack of cash.
Well, shit.
After escaping the junkyard Jimmy goes to see Rick to tell him what happened to the money. Jimmy tries to tell Rick that he got ripped off, that he’ll work off what he owes, and he’s sorry. Rick, as you would expect him to (he is a sleazebag crime boss, after all), flips out on Jimmy and tells him he needs to get the money back immediately. Rick sends Jimmy back to the junkyard with two of his top henchmen (Frank and Julio, as played by John Snyder and Cristos) to find Horace and get the money back. When they get to the junkyard, Frank and Julio start smacking Jimmy around, figuring that the teenager was lying about what happened. Before they can kill him, Frank and Julio are attacked by Horace, and Horace then rescues Jimmy and takes him to safety.
So then some stuff happens, Horace tries to befriend Jimmy (it’s also at this point that we find out that Horace’s “strange behavior” is actually just his Tourette’s syndrome), and Horace teaches Jimmy about making sculptures with junk from the junkyard. At first, it seems like Jimmy is receptive to Horace’s life guidance, but Jimmy eventually runs back to Rick (and Jimmy manages to snatch back most of the money Horace took/found). Shockingly, Rick accepts the money back and puts Jimmy back to work.
So then some more stuff happens, Sheila comes to see Jimmy in his apartment, they have sex, and suddenly Jimmy has a job and a relationship. Things are not what they seem, though, as Sheila, who now works for Rick (doing exactly what you think a scumbag like Rick would want a young girl like Sheila for), and Jimmy realizes that the sleazy job he knew was sleazy is actually even sleazier than he ever thought before. Jimmy can’t work for Rick anymore, but how the hell can he get away from the courier life?
So Jimmy goes back to see Horace and learn about Horace’s art and tries to come up with a scheme to sell Horace’s art.
Selling sculpture art? Is that really a viable plan?
It’s fascinating how Jimmy always finds a way to keep moving, even though he doesn’t really know what he’s doing and he could be killed at any second. Whether it’s his foster father or Snake or Rick, Jimmy keeps finding himself fighting against some of the worst people in the world and somehow manages to best them by the skin of his teeth. There are several moments throughout Jimmy Zip: Reloaded where you question how the hell is he going to get out of this predicament and you’re amazed when he does. And when he meets up with Horace and Horace takes a liking to him you expect the movie to reveal at some point that Horace, too, is a terrible person. Because, really, why wouldn’t that happen? That reality is likely why it takes Jimmy so long to come around and accept Horace’s friendship and leadership. Thankfully, Horace isn’t like Rick or Snake or any of the other terrible people in Jimmy’s life. Horace is actually one of the few good things (like Sheila but in a different way).
It’s also fascinating how the movie makes you root for Jimmy even when you’re not entirely sure you should be. Yes, he has an absolutely horrendous home life and clearly needs some sort of guidance and love, but he’s also a hoodlum, who keeps making bad decisions. When we first meet Jimmy he’s blowing up someone’s mailbox. Why is he doing that? Because it’s fun. That’s it. He isn’t exacting revenge on someone who did him wrong. He’s just a punk kid that likes to blow stuff up. Why should anyone like Jimmy when he has those proclivities? You can’t help liking Jimmy, though. At least at the beginning of the movie, he’s the least worst of anyone we meet. And when he starts being influenced by the goodish people in his life you are totally on his side. It’s great character development.
It’s also interesting how the movie depicts “the mean streets of Los Angeles” as sort of just another place people live in. The movie could have easily made the streets a relentless hellhole of violence and despair, but instead it’s generally like anywhere else. There are good people, there are predators, and there are rules. The streets are not an easy place to navigate, but it’s also not somewhere people can’t live and exist and thrive. Again, it’s like anywhere else.
The movie’s main cast is phenomenal. Brendan Fletcher is fantastic as Jimmy Zip. Fletcher makes Jimmy likeable despite, as I said, not being so inclined to like him fully at the beginning of the movie. Fletcher makes you understand Jimmy’s pain, and you can’t help but like how he always finds a way to survive despite the odds. He isn’t lucky or “street smart,” but Jimmy is tenacious, and you can’t help but like that trait in a movie’s protagonist.
Adrienne Frantz does a great job as Sheila, the young woman that takes a liking to Jimmy and eventually becomes his girlfriend. Frantz makes Sheila perpetually sweet but world weary and you’re immediately drawn to her. Much like Horace, you’re waiting for the moment where Sheila reveals herself to not be one of the good people in this world through the first half of the movie because why wouldn’t that kind of thing happen? But when you realize that Sheila isn’t a terrible person and that she’s just trying to do the right thing even when her choices are limited you root for her just like you root for Jimmy.
Robert Gossett does an amazing job as Horace Metcalf, the junkyard denizen and street artist with Tourette’s syndrome. Part surrogate father figure and big brother to Jimmy, Horace is the kind of person Jimmy probably would have become if his early life wasn’t so messed up (Jimmy likes to put together model airplanes, which is analogous to the sort of junkyard art that Horace makes). Horace has clearly seen everything, experienced God knows how much heartbreak and awfulness (he has no doubt experienced all sorts of shit because of his Tourette’s) and has somehow managed to not be a complete psychopath. Horace is an artist that likes to make art and add beauty to the world. How can you not like that? It’s a damn shame what happens to him at the end of the movie. A damn shame.
Chris Mulkey is simply superb as the movie’s villain Rick Conseco. At first, Rick comes across as, for the lack of a better phrase, a sensible crime boss. He doesn’t appear to be violent or ill tempered. Rick almost seems like a nice guy. You know he probably isn’t because how often do you see a crime boss that’s also a nice guy? But Mulkey makes Rick seem like a crime boss that’s going to buck the trend. But then when Jimmy experiences adversity the real Rick appears and he’s just the world’s biggest sleazebag scumbag piece of shit. Mulkey will make your goddamn skin crawl as Rick from then on (and when you remember back to how you felt about him before he revealed his true self Rick will make your skin crawl even more. That’s talent). It’s also kind of hilarious how Mulkey gives Rick this sort of understated smart ass way of speaking. It’s likely that and his ability to be charming that explains why anyone would do business with Rick because otherwise he’s just the world’s worst person. He really is. I mean, he doesn’t do this in the movie but you just know that Rick, at some point in his crime business career, gave the “you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs” speech and really meant it. That’s the kind of piece of shit he is. Great stuff.
And James Russo is wonderful as Otis Campbell, the junkyard owner. Otis is another character you expect to be, deep down, terrible, especially when his life is put in danger, but I think you’ll be surprised by how loyal Otis ends up being. I want a movie that’s all about Otis’ junkyard business. I really do.
The movie’s only real misfire is its ending. The ending doesn’t invalidate the movie or anything like that. In fact, the ending that we get is the correct one. But, at the same time, something happens that makes the ending come across as a bit of a downer when I don’t think that’s what’s meant to happen. The movie needed one more quick scene that explains the future before the movie explains what that future is. Trust me, what I just said will make perfect sense after you watch the movie. And you should absolutely seek out and watch Jimmy Zip: Reloaded.
You should also seek out the movie’s soundtrack, which is set to be available on CD. The movie’s soundtrack gives it a liveliness that it wouldn’t have otherwise.
Jimmy Zip: Reloaded is a must see movie watching experience. If you love movies, you absolutely need Jimmy Zip: Reloaded in your life. It’s well worth your time.
See Jimmy Zip: Reloaded. See it, see it, see it! You can preorder the Jimmy Zip: Reloaded DVD and the movie’s soundtrack at the Boom Cult website here.
So what do we have here?
Dead bodies: 4
Explosions: Several.
Nudity?: Almost.
Doobage: Cigarette lighting, exploding mailbox, bike riding at night, model airplane building, baseball bat attack, a 9mm Beretta cigarette lighter, newspaper reading, pickup truck sabotage, exploding toilet, hookers and panhandling, windshield washing, apple pie demolishing, bicycle breaking, a mugging, serious arm slicing, match lighting, candle lighting, peroxide hooey, multiple black and white nightmares, attempted job search, a collect call, serious apple eating, an explanation of the rules, a briefcase with a gun in it, a big job, fireworks hooey, junkyard hooey, hot water making, firecracker attack, a brief scuffle, a misplaced envelope, multiple henchmen, upside down bondage, cigarette torture, attempted suicide, another brief scuffle, an impromptu swim, a rib dinner, room wrecking, a “making art” montage, a dump truck full of metal and whatnot, money counting, a sexy dance, off screen sex, a brief young love montage with tongue touching, mosh pit hooey, a speech about not falling in love, dance school hooey, face slapping, more art making, a flamethrower on wheels, art breaking, art gallery hooey, a hilarious public meltdown that you shouldn’t laugh at because it’s inappropriate, phone demolishing, an impromptu art gallery exhibition, cigar smoking, bow tie hooey, attempted murder by car crushing, attempted art selling, some serious sleaze, car stealing, car crushing, a junkyard showdown, exploding car, attempted CPR, and an ending that’s kind of d owner but I don’t think it’s supposed to be.
Kim Richards? None.
Gratuitous:.A Champion Spark Plugs sign, model airplane building, an abusive father, exploding toilet, panhandling and prostitution, a gang of young hoodlums, a guy puts a cigarette out on his own tongue, sleaze, a fifty dollar bill, apple pie demolishing, people talking about surviving on the street, multiple black and white nightmares, Del Taco, bike sitting, talk about mosh pits, a money collection montage, fireworks, dance practice, hot water making, junkyard hooey, car crushing, “Horace always takes care of business,” metal sculptures, Tourette’s syndrome, a “don’t let women make you soft” speech, fondling a piece of metal, free food taking, a discussion about what it means to really be an artist, “primal exuberance,” “synergistic,” exploding car, and an ending that’s kind of a downer but I don’t think it’s supposed to be.
Best lines: “Yeah? Well, George, I’m terribly sorry about your mailbox,” “What is your name? Wrong answer. What is your name?,” “What were you doing in there, playing with yourself again?,” “I’m gonna get you, Zip!,” “Come on, Snake, leave the hayseed alone,” “Can I wash your windows, sir?,” “What’s your name? Jimmy. Jimmy Zip,” “You shouldn’t have fucked with me, boy,” “I’ve been on the street for one day and I don’t think I like it. I’m gonna get a job,” “Just say no,” “Cool shit!,” “What are you doing in a junkyard?,” “Did you hear that, guys? A big, black troll got him,” “What’s wrong with you, boy? Tired,” “You like the fire, boy. I can tell,” “Don’t do that, James. Don’t do it,” “Dream on, I’m not fucking working for you,” “Can’t run away from yourself, Jimmy Zip,” “Don’t go fall in love with me or anything,” “Don’t worry. I’ll be around,” “What the fuck are you doing, bitch?,” “I’ll be fine. Just leave me alone,” “Oh, great, riff raff night,” “Please don’t touch it! Fuck you in your asshole!,” “We got a show!,” “Wow. You guys are really artists,” “Work the room,” “Congratulations, Jim. Welcome to the art business,” “Bad move, Jimmy Zip,” and “Frank, has there been an industrial accident tonight? No, not yet. It’s time.”
