Zombos Says: Very Good
“Well, Falstaff, how is the diet going?” asked Zimba.
“As well as to be expected, Madam,” I replied. She could be so cruel at times.
She looked at my waist, smiled demurely, and walked away. I suppose I could cut out the Dunkaccinos every morning, I thought, as I sipped my extra-large Dunkaccino. At least I did not have the weight problem that Grant Grant had in Slither. That whole alien-slug parasite infestation thing can be so demoralizing to one’s self-image.
Slither is a well-crafted mix of computer animation, traditional puppetry, rubber and gook special effects, and slimy, horrific make-up artistry that, combined with a witty, fast-paced script and bread and butter cinematography, is a fun and disgusting romp at the same time.
This 1950s-styled monster story breezes along with colorful small-town characters, headed by a self-deprecating sheriff played by Nathan Fillion, and the unpleasantness of an alien-slug-in-the-meteor invasion that has detrimental effects on the local yokels.
What sets this horror film apart from so many of the half-baked, “hey, let’s snuff those teenagers again in all sorts of gruesome, but oddly enjoyable ways” cinema of the helpless films that have inundated the theaters lately, is its skillful approach to the technical elements that make a good monster movie, combined with a whimsical splash-it to-the-walls sense of gore. And it leaves out the over-used, angst-ridden teenage gore-fodder, and instead gives us a cast of seasoned actors who expertly chew up the scenery just as the scenery starts chewing them up.
Slither focuses on its characters and has the story unfold with them, instead of around them. It is also refreshing to have a few memorable monsters for a change, instead of the usual anti-social inbred psychotic guy/group/freak prowling the outback, torture-club circuit, or tourist venues.
The gradual evolution of Grant “it’s just a bee sting” Grant to amorphous, room-sized Lovecraftianesque-tentacled slug is wonderful (in that horror movie wonderful sort of way, of course). The tongue-in-cheek dialog between the characters is filled with snappy one-liners and witty observations that move the story briskly, especially as the slugs start taking over the town, and “meat” is the magic word of the day.
From the opening scene, with Sheriff Bill Pardy dozing in his police car, to the climactic battle between him and the ubiquitous alien Grant Grant, tension and mayhem build to a fever pitch as the over-the-top gore and slime ooze all over the place. Goop and gore are used with careful attention to scene placement, and enhance the make-up effects, which will easily make you gag if you’re a vegetarian. But the pacing of the film also leaves room for character development, and a glimpse into the small-town lifestyle that is soon to be displaced.
One particular scene of note involves an unfortunate run in with Grant “that looks like something that fell off my dick in the war” Grant and his razor claw-tipped tentacle that leaves one person beside himself–literally.
The barn scene with the Brenda Monster, involving the birth of the slugs is also well constructed, and quite disgusting, as hundreds of slimy parasitic slugs burst free and aggressively squirm their way into nearby mouths. This scene stands out as a well constructed balance between CGI, traditional special effects, and careful lighting. It’s almost topped by the bathroom encounter between Kylie and an orally-fixated slug; a visual nightmare shared by all of us regarding foreign objects and open mouths.
The extras on the DVD are plentiful and also entertaining, including special effects featurettes on the making of the Grant House Monster, nine-foot tall Brenda Monster, and thermal-gel prosthetic slugs using lots of “organic weird crap.”
Other featurettes include commentary with director James Gunn and Nathan Fillion, how to brew your very own blood that’s sweet and tasty, gag reel, and the Lloyd (King of Troma Productions) Kaufman video diary of his experience doing a one-line appearance in the film–which did not survive the final cut. And there is still more; deleted scenes, extended scenes, visual effects step by step, Nathan Fillion’s set tour–all on one disc.
And there are zombies! Just when you think it cannot possibly get any better, meat devouring zombies with insatiable appetites–are there any other kind of zombies?–start popping up, or should I say, lurching along. So much for Family Fun Day in the small town of Wheelsy.
If you like classic B-movie, 1950’s-style horror with 80’s-style gore, this movie is for you. Writer and director James Gunn, along with a talented crew of technicians and actors, has fashioned an entertaining old-style monster film that delivers the chills.