May I Kill U? (2012) d. Urban, Stuart (UK)
Set against the backdrop of the 2011 riots, writer/director Urban doles out a sharply satirical look at righteous vigilantism, an exaggerated Dirty Harry for the social media age. British bike bobby Kevin Bishop struggles mightily to retain his cool within a world gone slightly mad; his battle-axe mother criticizing his every move while criminals elude justice through technicalities or pure establishment apathy. But after receiving a nasty crack on the cranium during a local hoodlum’s sneak attack, the two-wheeled lawman’s moral stripe fades to a blue steeled gaze of street justice.
Facing down evil-doers with a polite smile, Bishop poses the titular request and after they scoff their disbelieving approval, he makes good on his offer in hands-on fashion. Because nothing in the modern era is real until it’s made public, the footage recorded on his helmet-cam is then uploaded, his anonymous username quickly becoming an overnight sensation on Twitter and YouTube. Injury-induced insanity and an invisible public’s bloodlust encourage additional incidents, until the well-intentioned law enforcer is sought by his own badged brethren.
A jet-black comedy with more on its mind than cheap thrills, Urban evokes as much thoughtful internal discourse as he does belly laughs and squeamish cringing, with a smart story ably executed by cast and crew. Well worth your time.
--Aaron Christensen, HorrorHound Magazine
**Winner of the European Jury Award at the 2013 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival**
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