“Afterburn” takes place in a zombie-absent, post-apocalyptic dystopia with an endless supply of gasoline, ammunition and explosives.  A world between the haves and the resourceful. A rich blend of cathartic action and political exposition dialogue. The movie wears on its sleeves the inspirations of other recovering- from-doomsday films that have come before them. Films like  “Escape From New York” or the “Mad Max” franchise. Knowing the success of these kinds of films is a balance of comedy and semi- cartoonish spree action with over-the-top villainy-. “Afterburn” definitely has that in spades. It isn’t out to set the world ablaze in the cinematic universe, nor is it even challenging its viewer with its theme or messages of authoritarianism or class struggle. It’s just hoping you crave  a fiery high – octane rollercoaster experience in the rusted, industrial metropolitan, and damn near pulls it off. 

Directed by J.J. Perry (The Killer’s Game, Day Shift) teams up again with Dave Baustista for him to headline  this pulp action story. There isn’t much below the surface of the story. A self-proclaimed king  named “Valentine”, played by Samuel L. Jackson, is hoarding priceless artifacts and artworks. He sends Jake, a treasure-hunter with a military background to France to retrieve the Mona Lisa, yep. Just risk everything in a war-torn battle ground to get this priceless gem. Thin on motivations and character development. There is a veil attempt at a love story that almost teeters on middle school level of writing.  Instead the film relies heavily on car-chases, combat stunts, and explosives, and why wouldn’t with Perry having a background in stunt performances, and stunt coordinator in films and t.v.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a few cameras were damaged during the principle production. 

Everything in this amounts to a straight on filming approach. There is no clever slogan said after a kill, nor is there any sharp angle of the action to draw you in. The aesthetic is right and enjoyable.  Mainly to take away is that “Afterburn” is blunt in its outlook on the world it is showing and blunt in its storytelling. There is no slight of hand or surprise twist to it. It’s completely down the middle in its action without flanking its sides- smashmouth.  Even the big antagonist in this, Volko prefers the direct approach to his conflict. Citing the game of chess as his motivation to be a tyrant. There is somewhere a deep philosophical point to all that is occurring in the story, but who has time to that when you have grenades and a thousand horsepower, twin beam suspension truck with a full tank of 94 octane gasoline.  5.5/10