Overall Rating
 Awesome: 15.58%
Worth A Look: 62.34%
Average: 19.48%
Pretty Bad: 2.6%
Total Crap: 0%
7 reviews, 35 user ratings
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| Slither |
by William Goss
"Slug It Out"
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SCREENED AT THE 2006 SXSW FILM FESTIVAL: It all starts with a meteorite. Which leads to aliens. Which leads to slugs. Which leads to zombies. But it’s really a love story. Trust me on this one.James Gunn, who wrote 2004’s superb remake of Dawn of the Dead, returns horror comedy to gloriously campy form with his directorial debut, Slither. When the above-mentioned meteorite lands on the outskirts of Wheelsy, its extraterrestrial cargo infects Grant (Michael Rooker), who begins to mutate in his newfound role as lead host for the forthcoming alien invasion. Although he has transformed into a gruesome monster, Grant finds himself unable to deny his feelings for wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks), who has banded together with the town mayor (Gregg Henry), sheriff (Nathan Fillion), and others in an effort to survive the onslaught of slimy slugs and goo-spewing zombies.
Not since 1990’s Tremors (and, to a lesser degree, 2002’s Eight Legged Freaks) has a film so satisfyingly blended humor and horror as Slither has. Then again, it does have one significant advantage over those films: an R rating, which it embraces with open tentacles. Gunn isn’t one bit reluctant to make his viewers squirm their way to a punchline, which almost makes it that much more gratifying, seeing as many quips are delivered as natural reactions to the situations that gross the characters out as much as the audience. While additional gore certainly ups the ante, specific expletives prove to be most appropriate throughout the dialogue than their traditional tamer substitutes. In fact, considering how much R-rated goodness the filmmakers managed to include without going overboard, it is somewhat remarkable that they managed to leave out any gratuitous nudity. Come on; what’s a B-movie without some T&A?
The entire cast is completely game, from Rooker’s creepy creature to Banks’ devoted spouse. If anyone steals the show, it would be the smartass duo of Henry and Fillion, to whom sarcasm is a first language. Despite all the wisecracking and screaming, each and every character is fleshed out just enough to provide a likeable ensemble, as opposed to a walking body count with wit to spare. Everything about the film fits the story’s modest scale, from its suitable digital and make-up effects right down to the distinct hierarchy of the space invaders. After a relatively prolonged first act, the momentum builds at just the right speed, with nary a scene wasted. This is a brisk film that manages to become comfortable in its own genre parameters, which works greatly to its benefit. Besides, the tongue only goes so far into the cheek.Every so often, the moviegoing masses receive a film that reminds us why we love horror films in all their terrifying glory. Then, in those gaps in between, we are sometimes fortunate to get flicks that remind us just how fun horror movies can be when they aren’t trying so hard to frighten us. 'Slither' may not be the next great thing, but it may very well be the next best alternative.
link directly to this review at https://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=13976&reviewer=409
originally posted: 03/28/06 19:43:58
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OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2006 South By Southwest Film Festival For more in the 2006 South By Southwest Film Festival series, click here.
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USA
31-Mar-2006 (R)
DVD: 24-Oct-2006
UK
31-Mar-2006
Australia
18-May-2006
![[trailer]](/images/icon/trailericon.gif) Trailer
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