Since Steven Kostanski and the Aston-6 collective first hit the scene back in 2011 with their feature, Manborg, the Canadian outfit have been producing low-budget creature features that hark back to the movies we grew to love in the 80s Home Entertainment scene.
In 2016, Astron-6 turned heads and a few tentacles with their Carpenter/Lovecraftian inspired gem The Void, but I would venture to say that their latest offering, Psycho Goreman is their most triumphant feature to date. 

Infused with a perfect blend of humour and stylistic visuals that project the look and feel of 90s hit series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Psycho Goreman comes across as a dark and twisted take on a kids adventure flick.

The premise follows two siblings, bossy and overbearing Mimi (Nita-Josee Hanna) and an overtly agreeable Luke (Owen Myre) stumble across a hidden gem buried in their backyard.
Unbeknownst to them, this gem also yields absolute power over an evil monster, hellbent on bringing about the destruction of the universe.
Unfortunately for this overlord, he didn’t anticipate the ignorant and cruel youth that would hold him in their grip to play stupid pranks and games, the usual silly stuff that kids get up to.

Along the way, the kids and their puppet monster that they have dubbed Psycho Goreman or PG for short, encounter The Paladins of Obsidian, PG’s former army that overthrew the Templars before he was incarcerated, the Planetary Alliance, and their two quarrelling parents, all in search for their own means of power and or corruption.
This leads to an ultimate battle where they compete in a diabolical game of Crazy Ball with its confusing rules.
Who will claim victory?

The Diagnosis:

Kostanski manages to direct a beautiful love song to the 90s period of home entertainment with a warped and visually appealing feature. 

Psycho Goreman is peppered with humour and is the dark candy of kids sci-fi adventures of yester-year.
It rekindles the energy of the visual treats we hold dear to our hearts in our childhood and garnishes it with gore-tastic moments that Kostanski and the team have made their signature style.

PG should firmly be on your genre-film pulse. Tap into this baby and enjoy its insanity.

• Saul Muerte