This started off very entertaining, with a hyper-stylized first act that seemed to promise more of the same.  Sadly, that is not the case.  If Zombie had just reined it in a bit, he could’ve crafted one hell of a film.  Don’t get me wrong — there are plenty of great moments.  Unfortunately, there are just sections that drag and hold the rest of the film down, as well as unnecessary slo-mo shots of violence that feel like third-rate Peckinpah.  
        I’m all for sprawling cinema when it’s justified and there’s at least some sort of control over the chaos, but this film just felt very full of itself and self-indulgent.