Pawn Shop Chronicles (2013)

Back in 2006 I was blown away when I watched the film Running Scared (2006).  I saw that movie in theatres three different times.  It was that good.  Paul Walker was the main star and Wayne Kramer directed.  Yesterday I watched a preview for Pawn Shop Chronicles and thought it looked like it could be pretty awesome and it has a solid cast.  Paul Walker is one of the main stars, but when I found out Kramer directed, that made me want to see it.

Pawn Shop Chronicles follows multiple stories involving drugged-out hillbillies, newlyweds, and an Elvis impersonator as their lives all intertwine because of their transactions made at a pawn shop.

The noteworthy cast includes Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, Kevin Rankin, Vincent D’Onofrio, Elijah Wood, Chi McBride, Thomas Jane, Norman Reedus, Lukas Haas, DJ Qualls, Michael Cudlitz, Ashlee Simpson, and Matt O’Leary.

The movie is a disturbingly dark comedy and weird, white trash, hillbilly adventure.

Kramer continues the trend of super intense filmmaking with unique, quirky, fun characters in a brutally twisted storyline.

Just like Running Scared, the camera work and editing is very unique and fast-paced which helps to make the movie more thrilling.

The movie is very graphic.  It was pretty shocking at times.  F-bombs, nudity, and disturbing images were all overused.

Within the first ten minutes of the film, I began to wonder what I had gotten myself into.  But, then the movie hit its stride and got much better.

Walker plays a way different type of character than he has ever played.  It was actually pretty refreshing to see him try something new for a change.  It was a stretch for him, but he pulled it off nicely.

For you Reedus fans out there; his role will disappoint you because it is hardly noticeable.  I felt like he was way underused.

This is Fraser’s best movie in over a decade.  I was happy to see him in a likable role again.

Dillon stole the show, in my opinion.  It never seems like he misses a stride.  Every once in a while when he finds the right character, he gives a breakout performance that reminds us all that he still has the ability to take over a movie.

For the type of film that this is, it is an exercise in quality filmmaking.  It will keep you guessing.  It is a funny, messed up, shocking adventure like no other.

I rate this movie an 8 on a scale of 1-10.

Buy, rent, or run?  Buy.