Slither
3/4
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Nathan Fillon, Michael Rooker, Gregg Henry, Tania Sauliner, Brenda James
Rated R for Strong Horror Violence and Gore, and Language
"Slither" is one of those horror movies that throws on the gobs of gore with a few yuks along the way. While it's neither funny or scary enough to be truly great, it does have its charm.
In a small southern town, Starla Grant (Banks) lives with her husband Grant Grant (Rooker). No one can understand why these two married except for her to escape a bad home and into money. Especially not Sheriff Bill Pardy (Fillon), who has long loved her from afar. One after Starla declines his pleas for some bedroom Pilates, Grant goes for a walk with Brenda (James), a girl who has loved him from afar. There, he gets stung by what looks like a king sized larva. Soon he's changing: first it's rashes and boils, then it's large growths that make him look like a very inbred squid. Of course, it's not long before all hell breaks loose and the townspeople start becoming zombies.
The acting is effective. Elizabeth Banks is good as the hick woman. She takes it a little too seriously (not enough ditziness), but if there's any actress who knows how to be funny, it's Banks (her "marriage is a sacred bond" speech to a mutated Grant is pretty funny). Nathan Fillon is the best of the bunch. Bill Pardy is extremely likable and I felt for him in his feelings about Starla. I'm not sure that that's something that writer/director James Gunn intended, but it works. Michael Rooker is okay, but apart from the first few minutes, he's mainly a special effect that speaks through surrogate. Gregg Henry is meant to be comic relief as the freaked-out mayor, but he's actually kind of annoying. Tania Sauliner is okay as a survivor who received visions of the creature's plan during her attack.
James Gunn got his start in Troma-ish movies, and that doesn't surprise me. Strictly speaking I have never seen a "true" Troma movie, but I've seen enough movies that reference them to have some idea of what they are. It's cheesy, yes, but it's a fun kind of cheesy. It's closer to "Tale of the Mummy" or "Anaconda" than to "The Man with the Iron Fists."
The problem is that there are a few dead spots, particularly in the beginning. At 95 minutes, "Slither" is relatively skinny, but Gunn could have shaved a few off here and there to make it a leaner and funnier movie. Adding a little more humor wouldn't have hurt, although there are plenty of in-jokes.
It's a close call whether or not to recommend it, but I liked it the first time I saw it and I have an affection for it now. There's my answer.
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Nathan Fillon, Michael Rooker, Gregg Henry, Tania Sauliner, Brenda James
Rated R for Strong Horror Violence and Gore, and Language
"Slither" is one of those horror movies that throws on the gobs of gore with a few yuks along the way. While it's neither funny or scary enough to be truly great, it does have its charm.
In a small southern town, Starla Grant (Banks) lives with her husband Grant Grant (Rooker). No one can understand why these two married except for her to escape a bad home and into money. Especially not Sheriff Bill Pardy (Fillon), who has long loved her from afar. One after Starla declines his pleas for some bedroom Pilates, Grant goes for a walk with Brenda (James), a girl who has loved him from afar. There, he gets stung by what looks like a king sized larva. Soon he's changing: first it's rashes and boils, then it's large growths that make him look like a very inbred squid. Of course, it's not long before all hell breaks loose and the townspeople start becoming zombies.
The acting is effective. Elizabeth Banks is good as the hick woman. She takes it a little too seriously (not enough ditziness), but if there's any actress who knows how to be funny, it's Banks (her "marriage is a sacred bond" speech to a mutated Grant is pretty funny). Nathan Fillon is the best of the bunch. Bill Pardy is extremely likable and I felt for him in his feelings about Starla. I'm not sure that that's something that writer/director James Gunn intended, but it works. Michael Rooker is okay, but apart from the first few minutes, he's mainly a special effect that speaks through surrogate. Gregg Henry is meant to be comic relief as the freaked-out mayor, but he's actually kind of annoying. Tania Sauliner is okay as a survivor who received visions of the creature's plan during her attack.
James Gunn got his start in Troma-ish movies, and that doesn't surprise me. Strictly speaking I have never seen a "true" Troma movie, but I've seen enough movies that reference them to have some idea of what they are. It's cheesy, yes, but it's a fun kind of cheesy. It's closer to "Tale of the Mummy" or "Anaconda" than to "The Man with the Iron Fists."
The problem is that there are a few dead spots, particularly in the beginning. At 95 minutes, "Slither" is relatively skinny, but Gunn could have shaved a few off here and there to make it a leaner and funnier movie. Adding a little more humor wouldn't have hurt, although there are plenty of in-jokes.
It's a close call whether or not to recommend it, but I liked it the first time I saw it and I have an affection for it now. There's my answer.
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