I admire the ambition and challenge of creating an original full-length feature film, an action horror-thriller at that - and through crowd-funding, no less. To explore this space with full animation allows the most grisly, gory, bloody moments to present without concern of how the special effects may turn out. And, honestly, I'm rather grateful for that for another reason: at its most gnarly, it turns out that 'To your last death' recalls the likes of 'Hostel' or 'Saw' in terms of torment and carnage, and those are the sort of movies I just don't care for any more. The rest depends on the writing. For my part, I don't think it's perfect, but it's a pretty good time.
Like most 2-D animated features, this employs largely static backgrounds, with some specific elements rendered separately so that they can be readily manipulated like the characters, props, or other active aspects. The style here provides for a fair amount of detail all around, though movement is perhaps less fluid than in other animated movies we've seen. That can make it difficult to fully engage with at points, but once the action kicks up, the critique falls by the wayside as our attention is kept otherwise.
Setting aside the animation, it's easy to imagine 'To your last death' as a probably schlocky live-action venture, a B-movie through and through. I mentioned 'Saw,' and that's certainly an appropriate point of reference for some facets, but other story beats remind of various other features, too. Though don't be mistaken - this is a film all its own. It's unquestionably a little ham-handed at times, but for the most part I think it's actually written quite well - dialogue seems believable; characters are complex and varied; scenes are mostly pretty well considered, and engrossing; and the overall narrative is entertaining, and absorbing.
I did say "for the most part." In my opinion the greatest shortcoming here is the framework in which the story takes place. It's a touch of flair I think is unnecessary, self-indulgent, and overbearing. Dropping that extravagance also means the film's biggest voiceover stars, William Shatner and Morena Baccarin, no longer have roles, but I'd sooner have a tale I can be fully invested in than a couple contributors who will draw in more audience members. Without that embellished structure, the plot would also be more straightforward, and more plainly an echo of more renowned genre flicks, but again - that's a sacrifice I'd rather the filmmakers had made. Oh well; to each their own.
One way or another, what it comes down to is that mileage will vary from one person to the next. The animation style, the violence, the overarching story framework, the voice acting - any number of aspects here may entice or repulse individual viewers. I have mixed feelings about it, but moreso than not, I'm pleasantly surprised at how this turned out. I have my problems with it, but I generally like the screenplay, the animation is perhaps a refreshing touch, and it's suitably enjoyable to have kept me watching. I don't think this is a picture to go out of your way to find, but if you like this genre at large and come across 'To your last death,' it's not a bad way to spend 90 minutes.
