"The idea of sticking Nazis on the moon is certainly one filled with intrigue with potential to be a real cult-classic. Yet it should probably have just stayed as an idea..."
Nazi's. On the moon. What isn't there to like in Timo Vuorensola's Iron Sky? Well, sadly, quite a lot actually.
Set in the not too distant future, American president (Stephanie Paul) - portraying a certain Sarah Palin-like figure - sends two men into space as part of a publicity stunt to aid her cause in being re-elected, yet such a stunt is halted by the vengeful community of Nazis who are secretly living on the moon. The Nazis, who have been hiding out in their base on the dark side of the moon since the end of World War Two, are seeking a trip back to Earth, with a return to power in mind.
American James Washington (Christopher Kirby) is held captive by the powerful and influential Nazi Klaus Adler (Götz Otto), who intends on using his hostage’s mobile phone as a source of power for an almighty machine that will destroy all that gets in its way and could prove to be a key component in the Nazis’ impending battle. However, James is determined to prevent such actions, as he intends on not only saving Earth, but also winning the love of his Nazi admirer Renate Richter (Julia Dietze) who could prove somewhat useful in his dangerous mission...
Iron Sky is one of a new-wave of productions called 'Participatory Cinema' where ordinary members of the public are encouraged to get involved in the making of a film - and the idea of sticking Nazis on the moon is certainly one filled with intrigue with potential to be a real cult-classic. Yet it should probably have just stayed as an idea. Vuorensola is evidently attempting, both desperately and forcefully, to gain a cult like status, but Iron Sky isn't so bad it's good, it's so bad it's just bad. The joy to a bad movie is within its innocence and delusion, where it actually think it's quite good. A bit like the Eurovision Song Contest in a way; the best entries are always the ones who are without any vestige of irony.
Vuorensola, however, is clearly trying to make a film so bad that it deliberately earns an ironic following, which is too easy to see through, even with strangely memorable lines such as, "Even Hitler would get a hard on". Such a quote is just one of many terribly-written lines from a dreadful script. The special and visual effects act as somewhat of a saving grace, but please don't get me started on awful acting performances from absolutely everybody involved.
In what is somewhat of an audacious attempt at filmmaking, you can't help but praise Vuorensola for giving it a go, as you just never know how much success could be achieved from such a film - just take Snakes on a Plane and The Human Centipede for example, which given their subject matters could arguably be considered quite a success, with a growing number of admirers. Yet Iron Sky, which remains on a similar level in many respects to those mentioned, is lacking simply because it isn't as funny as it should be. Or as it thinks it is. Yet however absurd and ridiculous such a concept is - where Nazis are planning an invasion of earth - I'm actually more concerned that Sarah Palin becomes president of the United States.
Of course Iron Sky can be relatively funny in points, and as long as you go in with a completely clear frame of mind you might just enjoy this film, but despite such absurdity it's a novelty that soon wears thin - and as a film that has been co-funded by fans, it's fair to say there will be a few who may well be wanting their money back.
