Soldier Sam Harper is killed by friendly fire during Desert Storm in 1991. A few years later and his body is found and returned to his family, in a good old American town. His 'grieving' widow seems to have been more concerned by the prospect of him returning home alive. His sister is traumatised by the legacy of abuse he left behind in their childhood home... while his nephew Jody (Christopher Ogden in a decent performance) has a shrine made for him on his bedside locker, complete with his uncle's Purple Heart from Panama in the '80s.
All Jody wants to do when he grows up is become a soldier like his uncle. His uncle Sam was a hero in his eyes. But his dead uncle soon rises from his casket, to go on a killing spree in the small-town on the fourth of July. He dons an Uncle Sam costume, and on his kill-list are old draft-dodgers, corrupt politicians and anyone who dares to disrespect the flag or national anthem on this Independence day.
If "Uncle Sam" had had a bigger budget, and some more competence behind the camera, then this sure would have been a better loved film. It sure has an irresistible killer - something that many films of its ilk do not get right. The Uncle Sam costume is wicked looking, and watching Sam stalk about the background of the festivities on the fourth of July is the film's strongest point. It is very unique, and the film has the patent on that concept.
I enjoyed the attention to military details. The Purple Heart medal in the locker under Jody's bed, and the conversations that he has with the Korean War veteran Jed (none other than Isaac Hayes - Chef from "South Park"). The pacing of the film is decent, and a good effort was made on the small-budget. It might have done with a few more kills, but overall, this little slasher gets my vote, and I would watch it again.
All Jody wants to do when he grows up is become a soldier like his uncle. His uncle Sam was a hero in his eyes. But his dead uncle soon rises from his casket, to go on a killing spree in the small-town on the fourth of July. He dons an Uncle Sam costume, and on his kill-list are old draft-dodgers, corrupt politicians and anyone who dares to disrespect the flag or national anthem on this Independence day.
If "Uncle Sam" had had a bigger budget, and some more competence behind the camera, then this sure would have been a better loved film. It sure has an irresistible killer - something that many films of its ilk do not get right. The Uncle Sam costume is wicked looking, and watching Sam stalk about the background of the festivities on the fourth of July is the film's strongest point. It is very unique, and the film has the patent on that concept.
I enjoyed the attention to military details. The Purple Heart medal in the locker under Jody's bed, and the conversations that he has with the Korean War veteran Jed (none other than Isaac Hayes - Chef from "South Park"). The pacing of the film is decent, and a good effort was made on the small-budget. It might have done with a few more kills, but overall, this little slasher gets my vote, and I would watch it again.