Gory 'Bundy' is exploitative

"Bundy: A Legacy of Evil" (Lions Gate, 2008; rated R; $26.98; available July 21) ★

The makers of this low-budget and at times very gory horror movie say they did extensive research to "get the story right."

But the reality is, they got very little right with this exploitative schlock. In fact, the movie would be laughable — especially because of the incompetent performances and the equally shoddy filmmaking — if it weren't so exploitative and if it weren't in such bad taste.

Corin Nemec stars as Ted Bundy, the real-life serial killer who tortured, murdered and sexually abused as many as three dozen women in several states during the mid- to late 1970s.

Ridiculously, screenwriter/director Michael Feifer (2007's "The Grim Reaper") tries to explain what turned Bundy into a killer. He and the film do so by depicting Bundy as an abused child of incest, as well as someone who was obsessed with violent and pornographic imagery.

In this version of events, Bundy's killing spree begins shortly after the relationship with his college sweetheart (Jen Nikolaisen) goes sour.

While they did get some of the story correct, there's a lack of attention to detail and authenticity.

For one thing, Bundy's 1975 arrest in Granger (West Valley City) is shown as occurring in a desolate desert setting.

Veteran television actor Nemec seems uncommitted to the role, not that you can blame him.

And horror-movie villain Kane Hodder ("Friday the 13th") plays against type, as a prison warden. They're both awful, as is the whole movie.

On the plus side, most of Bundy's real-life victims are not named here, so at least there is that.

(The film is rated R and features disturbing violent content, including abuse and torture of women, some of it shown very graphically, other disturbing imagery, and some strong sexual language.)

e-mail: jeff@desnews.com