So many parts of the anatomy are dismembered in the new horror-comedy Idle Hands, you'll think you're watching one of those Def Leppard biographies on VH1. Limbs are severed, heads decaptitated, blood gruesomely splattered -- an always entertaining display made all the more intriguing in that it occurs, literally, at the hand of actor Devon Sawa, best known as a relatively innocuous object of pre-teen lust. Directed by Corman protogee Rodman Flender (whose previous credits include Leprachaun 2, the TV series Millennium and that epitome of primordial terror, Dawson's Creek), Idle Hands seamlessly blends fast-moving physical comedy with spectacular fore and sharp, witty dialogue. Idle Hands is one of the best teen horror movies to come along in recent years -- an inventive, clever film that puts the "I Know What Movie Sucked Last Fall" set to shame.

Sawa plays Anton Tobias, a teenager whose entire existence revolves around smoking pot, lusting after neighbor Molly (Jessica Alba) and watching TV with his equally inebriated friends Mick (Buffy's Seth Green) and Pnub (Elden Hensen). However, Anton's idle ways turn deadly when his right hand suddenly becomes possesssed by a demonic spirit and proceeds to engage in a homicidal spree of its own free will. The bewildered Anton tries everything to get ridof his evil appendage: he takes up knitting, finds new and inventive uses for the microwave and bagel slicer, and seeks the help of scary mechanic Randy (Jack Noseworthy), who, by virtue of his Quiet Riot T-shirt, is bound to be an expert in all things Satanic. Alas, Randy's advice fails him, and Anton finds, ala Bruce Campbell in Evil Dead 2, that even slicing off the right hand is to no avail; ultimately, only a Druidic priestess (Vivica A. Fox) can stop the homicidal hand that will destroy not only the Halloween dance but humanity itself.

There is much to like about Idle Hands: fantastically gory special effects, a refreshingly politically incorrect attitude and the violent death of the lead singer of The Offspring standing among the highlights. The performances are just as clever as the script; Sawa shows a gift for physical comedy rivaling that of Jim Carrey, while the excellent Green and Hensen greatly amuse as his stoned, sardonic cohorts. The FX are also impressive: the homicidal hand moves with a truly life-like murderous glee which culminates in its very clever stint as puppet master later in the film. However, the film's greatest achievement lies in its irreverence and unpredictability; in a genre that has in recent years become increasingly formulaic, Idle Hands refuses to embace the ironic, self-referential stance of Scream and its followers and, while paying homage to classics like American Werewolf In London and the aforementioned Evil Dead 2, manages to be hilarious and horrifying completely in its own right.

DROOL FACTOR: Never thought I would say this unless I was hynoptized at knife-point by the "Tiger Beat" masthead, but...Devon Sawa's cute! Jack Noseworthy also adds a new connotation to the title.

GROSS-OUT FACTOR: This hand's so bad-ass, it makes Thing look like a United Way ad. Terrific FX from Greg Cannom Studios and much splatter = hella fun.

STRONG CHICK FACTOR: Sorely lacking. Underwritten Alba's whole wardrobe can fit into a CD case. However, the irreverant tone of the film (and idiocy of all the characters) makes this a moot point; sit back, relax, and just let the gore and the laughs roll in.