Max Hell Frog Warrior

Max Hell Frog Warrior also known as Toad Warrior is a 1996 martial arts sci fi cult film written, produced, and directed by Donald G. Jackson and Scott Shaw. This film is the third in the Hell Comes to Frogtown series, following the cult films Hell Comes to Frogtown and Return to Frogtown. Initially developed under the title Toad Warrior, the film gained its current title for its 2002 release.[1] The story was co-conceived by Donald G. Jackson, creator of the Frogtown franchise. The film stars Scott Shaw, Joe Estevez, Conrad Brooks, and Jill Kelly.[2][3]

Max Hell Frog Warrior
Directed byDonald G. Jackson
Scott Shaw
Written byDonald G. Jackson
Scott Shaw
Produced byDonald G. Jackson
Scott Shaw
StarringScott Shaw
Joe Estevez
Conrad Brooks
Jill Kelly
Release date
  • 1996 (1996)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$375,000

Plot

The Earth is being swept by a toad plague. Enter, the lone Samurai, Max Hell, the Earth's last hope to save the planet from the mad clutches of Mickey O'Malley.[4]

"Shaw stars as Max Hell in this no-budget mess that doesn’t really have much to do with earlier Frogtown movies. He uses a samurai sword and seems irresistible to women. The plot involves some renegade scientist about to detonate a bomb that’ll turn everyone into toads."[5]

"Jackson and Shaw codirected 1996's Toad Warrior, which taps one of their other obsessions: amphibian ninjas. We're in an alternate universe set during the Third Toad Resistance, in which Joe Estevez is the president, who lives in a tent with dirt-covered babes. Shaw fights ninjas in a car park. Old Ed Wood player Conrad Brooks wears a beekeeper's getup and sleeps while a purple alligator talks to him."[6]

This film follows the lead character, Max Hell, played by Scott Shaw, who goes on a mission to rescue Dr. Trixi T from the clutches of the evil Mickey O'Malley, played by Joe Estevez. According to Donald G. Jackson, Max Hell Frog Warrior is not so much a sequel as it is a standalone film inspired by the original concept for Hell Comes to Frogtown.

Zen Filmmaking

This film is considered a Zen Film in that it was created in the distinct style of filmmaking formulated by Scott Shaw known as Zen Filmmaking. In this style of filmmaking no scripts are used; instead a rough plot is outlined including the basic scenes and locations and then the crew and actors improvise the rest, all dialogue and action is spontaneous and entire plot points, scenes and setpieces are formulated on the spot. Shaw and Jackson have claimed the technique offers freedom of creativity allowing for very natural performances from actors and a unique artistic outcome.

Versions
  • An early cut (under the name Toad Warrior) received an unofficial release from distributors who obtained a master copy of the film.
  • A filmmaker-approved version appeared in 2002 under the name Max Hell Frog Warrior.
  • A third version, truncated to 30 minutes, was assembled by Scott Shaw and released as Max Hell in Frogtown: A Zen Speed Flick.
  • A fourth version, re-envisioned in the style of 1920s silent films was released as Max Hell The Frog Warrior: A Zen Silent Flick.

Connections
  • Rollergator (1996) - Conrad Brooks's Swamp Farmer and Rollergator both make appearances in Max Hell Frog Warrior.

References
  1. "Max Hell Frog Warrior: The Evolution". Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  2. "Max Hell Frog Warrior". Science Fiction Database. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  3. "Frog Warrior (Donald G. Jackson Scott Shaw 2002)". Horreur.net. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  4. "Toad Warrior". Sci-fi Central. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  5. Spinegrinder: The Movies Most Critics Won't Write About, Clives Davies ISBN 978-1909394278 Page 975
  6. Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made, Michael Adams ISBN 978-0061806292 Pages 301-302
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