Creature Unknown
by Michael Burnett
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DVD details
Actor: Chase Masterson, Chris Hoffman, Cory Hardrict, Kristin Herold, Maggie GraceDirector: Michael Burnett
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 79 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-06-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Razor
DVD Reviews of Creature Unknown
DVD Review: Great monster, so-so on everything else
Summary: 3 Stars
I must come out and defend this movie for one simple reason - the monster. In this age of CGI, it's quite refreshing to see a very high quality monster suit worn by an actor. CGI has gotten so good in big budget movies that it's indistinguishable from reality, but lower budget movies that can't afford the real good stuff always have bad CGI. You instantly know it isn't really there. Bless Creature Unknown for making the effort to create an old-school rubber suit that looks absolutely great (no wrinkles, bending fingers, or blatant seams), and is really *there*. For creature fans, you can't beat it, and you get to see a LOT of it. Even quite a bit in broad daylight. There's nothing to hide on this suit. Bravo for the monster!
The rest is, of course, completely forgettable. There was a little more of an attempt at character building than you usually get with popcorn B movie horror, but the plot is nothing new in any way. As other reviewers have said, there's also the ridiculous. First is the biker chick genetic engineer with a lab out in woods. What is the bunker-like underground building she's using? How did she get it? How does she afford supplies?
There are also many moments of "well...well...HELLO!" such as when the main protagonist tells the biker chick scientist that she's holding his father's (or maybe grandfather's, I forget) shotgun. And...that's it. He doesn't insist on having it back, doesn't ask how she got it, doesn't make any accusation of her robbing from the cabin. One character is attacked in what should clearly be a fatal scene, then later he turns up with just a bad stomach-scratching. This was clearly a cut-away death scene, the creature had him on his back and was toothily moving in for the easy kill, then the scene cuts. Later the guy's OK with no explanation ("Yeah, he had me, but then this mountain lion came outta nowhere and scared him off"). It's those little things that stick out like a sore thumb constantly and guarantee B movie status.
Oh well, there's always that creature and he looks excellent. I could have been spared the drool in a couple of scenes (does every damn critter have to drool?), but if you love the creatures then this movie is very good for that. Ignore the same-again plot, fast-forward through the petty, typical arguments, and check out that great monster. I'd say fast forward through the entirely unnecessary and blatantly gratuitous shower scene, but you get a great look at the creature at the same time. Besides, I'm sure most out there find the T & A less tiresome than I.
So, don't expect a fresh plot, exciting new twists or stellar cinematography. Just dig that monster!
DVD Review: A Cold Blooded Killer
Summary: 3 Stars
This is one of those cheapee direct to video schlockfests that you find yourself watching the whole thing and then saying, "God, I can't believe I actually watched that whole movie". It's the classic setup of a groups of kids out in the woods who get slaughtered by a guy in a rubber suit. Nothing wrong with that, I love that kinda thing, but it just looks and flows like any other B horror movie of recent years. I can't put my finger on what it is, but all of these low budget movies have a look about them I don't like. Whether it's Andre the Butcher, Arachnia or whatever, something is wrong. At least in the good ol days even the microbudget movies were shot on film and looked like REAL movies, now everything looks like it was shot on someone's snazzy digital equipment and was probably shown on the sci-fi channel at some point. So yeah, a lizardman is killing these kids off. Sure, there's an attempt to add more depth and a twist in the plot, but essentially that's it. The lizardman was created by a sexy, gun toting, biker chick scientist(only in the movies, my friends, only in the movies). I don't know squat about genetics and such, but I'm pretty sure that injecting lizard DNA into a human won't turn them into a rampaging, rejuvinating lizardman. Plus, the film's title is misleading because you find out what it is. But in the end all is well and of course there's an explosion(courtesy of the handy dandy flammable gas tank that's just hanging around the creature's lair). All in all, this was moderately entertaining schlock fare. It's 100% heckle material all the way, so make sure you don't watch it alone. The film doesn't go the crappy CGI route, instead leaving us with a good ol fashioned lizardman outfit. Hey, if you're making a schlock film anyhow, might as well go with it, right? I'd certainly rent before buying. Better yet, sucker a friend into renting it so you can see it for free.DVD Review: A Satisfying Straight-To-DVD Monster Flick
Summary: 3 Stars
Sparing you a briefing of the weak and equally useless plot, "Creature Unknown" is one of those direct-to-DVD horror flicks that are more fun than they are scary. The reason it's worth three stars is the monster. Ignoring the recent craze of CGI, the crew created a full-body suit for the actor playing the creature -- and the hard work certainly payed off. The costume is very realistic and keeps the viewer interested. But, sadly, that's all there is to this movie. The only reason you should rent "Creature Unknown" is if you're a monster fan who enjoys the simple pleasure of seeing a murderous creature rip apart naive teenagers (including decapitations and gut-slashing). Not to mention, decent special features such as bloopers, a documentary on the film, and a documentary on the creature.DVD Review: A THROWBACK TO THE FIFTIES
Summary: 3 Stars
I guess since I just watched the abominable DEADLY SCAVENGERS last night, viewing CREATURE UNKNOWN was like GONE WITH THE WIND. At any rate, this movie reminds me a lot of those tacky scifi films from the fifties. Although the creature's effects are by no means state of the art, they are much better than the cockroaches in the aforementioned Scavengers flick. And I give the screenwriters credit for coming up with an unexpected "twist" at the end regarding the identity of the genetically mutated lizardman. The actors won't make us forget truly good actors, but they passed the easy on the eye test, and you'd appreciate that after watching the cast of the once again aforementioned Scavengers movie. All in all, my wife and I were entertained, and we're hard to please sometimes, but when comparing this to the uh oh once again aforementioned Scavengers movie, this one is a gem.DVD Review: As bad as I expected it to be
Summary: 1 Stars
This movie has a poor plot, cheesy effects and forced acting. 'Prom Night' is a masterpiece next to this movie and with the exception of Chase Masterson, it would be a major accomplishment for any of the actors in this film to end up on the Surreal Life.
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