An Experimental Review: "Jack's Back"

Hi All!

In this post, I will be discussing the film "Jack's Back" as I watch it again, for what is likely the 7th or 8th time. I made some YouTube videos referencing my experience(s) watching it before, but this time around, it will be the main and complete focus of one.

My YouTube video accompanying this article is titled simply: Post-Film Review: My Experience Watching "Jack's Back".

Of Course: SPOILERS for the movie follow, so go over to Tubi or etc. and check it out for yourself first!!!!!!

I'll be here when you've had your own unique first experience with it.!

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So here goes nothing!

Preliminary Note:

When the title sequence hit, I was utterly captivated. It stole the complete attention of my being. The VHS feel, and intro song fluidity with the imagery, was pure Magic.

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NOTE: Twenty minutes in, and no commercials. I will add notes as I go along, starting with what I can recall from the first 20.

• The fake outs and assorted characters to could be "suspicious" add to the depth of the experience
• As they watch John on TV, I believe Jack is not included in the frame. One of those things you pick up after a previous viewing.
• The music played as John looks up the girl's file makes it seem ominous for her fate, but it is also ominous for his.
• The biggest issue I find with this movie, now that I realize it, is why....WHY....does John chase after Jack when he should have just gone right to the police station?? Did he really have to use the phone at the clinic?

The first Commercial Break finally hit at 31 minutes.

• John's murder comes across as a dream sequence until shortly thereafter it revealed that John's brother Rick is his identical twin. The idea that it was a dream is an interesting and fun twist that makes its mark for a minute or so.
• Focusing the camera on characters with ambiguous reactions helps trick the viewer into thinking the shot means "more" than it actually does.

The second Commercial Break at 44 minutes.

• The sequence showing Rick's feet may call back to an earlier shot, but I'm not sure. It was certainly included there for a reason...perhaps for a shot later in the movie?
• Rick should have said to Sidney: "What's the problem? Got something to hide?"
• The photo Rick holds showing the two of them as children was held by John earlier in the morning. I wonder if the same identical shot was used for each instance. Something to look back for.

The third Commercial Break at 57:20.

• When Jack finds Rick in his apartment, he chooses a rope as a murder weapon because of what is soon to come to light.

MOVIE ENDING REVEAL HINT/SUGGESTION

SPOILER

TO

FOLLOW

Because it is only his second time planning to kill someone, he is using a weapon he is familiar with. I honestly just discovered this point as I was watching the film this time!!! I have no proof that this is actually accurate as to the film, but I am confident that it IS!!!

Props to Me, y'all!! Wooooo!!!! :0]

• The conversation between Sidney and Jack comes off as duplicitous. As it should....

The fourth Commercial Break at 01:13:27.

• Rick trying to lift Jack's weight bar suggests that Jack is strong (the killer is suggested as being very strong).
• I believe Jack tries to use the same gun that Rick has, on Rick. It is probably meant to suggest that Jack knew what kind of gun Rick was going to use, hence he was alerted by someone about it (i.e. Chris).
• The shot of the detective and Jack, through the glass, was also meant to come off as if they shared a secret with one another.
• The gentleman in Rick's shop is a smoker and has the same shoes that left the imprint Rick saw earlier. I believe this is meant to suggest (at least, to the audience) that the killer is still at large. To Rick, it is perhaps doubt and/or a realization that a piece of evidence wasn't correlated. Of course, the next two scenes are the payoff of that inquisition, including yet another fun tease.
• ....because Sidney duplicitously says that Jack does "good work" because...

The final Commercial Break...around 01:26:00.

• The circular tool used to cut through the glass perhaps suggests things are coming full circle...either that, or simply using the focus to detract from showing the killers face. Although it was just revealed, anyway, pretty undeniably.
• The killer's reflection in the table perhaps suggests his mirroring of Jack the Ripper.

All in all, I bet Mr. Herrington is really proud of his accomplishment in making this spectacular film.

And then the outro version of the intro song hits.

Glorious.

Sad, but true.