Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever
LouHomey From my favorite movies..
FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
romanorum1 The opening caption tells us that in 1974 two UCal scientists revealed that fluorocarbon gases used in aerosol spray cans were seriously damaging the earth's protective layer of ozone. It warns that the potentially dangerous amounts of radiation (ultra-violet rays) that subsequently reached the earth's surface were affecting living things in adverse ways. Then the movie is supposed to dramatize what COULD happen if mankind didn't change its methods: the day of the crazed animals, especially those at high altitude! The movie begins with twelve campers, dropped off by helicopter, who hike in high country as spooky-looking animals (mountain lions, coyotes, bears, eagles, vultures, etc.) watch. Dogs growl menacingly; eagles screech. The owl looks like it has an evil eye. Sunrays shine menacingly. The unnerving music tells us that the folks are in danger. The campers have almost no food. Before long the animals attack the human campers; even the sheriff is attacked in his house. The police and rangers have notified the area's population to evacuate their houses in the high country. The campers split into two groups: (1) those with Buckner (Christopher George) head to lower country where it is safer but longer (35 miles), a route recommended by authorities and (2) those with Paul Jenson (Leslie Nielsen) head upland away from the safe areas but closer to a ranger station (15 miles). Jenson had been riding Buckner during the whole trip. Along the way he is a crazed man who loses his way. Wonder how many will return? HINT: the way these movies go you can bet that one-half will make it safely. Near the end there is one interesting scene that I have never seen in cinema. Three survivors of one group barely escape from wild dogs on a moored river raft. But before the raft can move quickly along the rapids several wild dogs overtake it. The humans hang on along the sides of the raft in the water while the animals are on the platform. As they struggle to stay afloat when the raft is caught up in the current, they cannot really harm the humans. Helpless, they will soon be tossed into the big drink. Gulp! Movie is rated so-so despite a rather impressive veteran cast that includes Nielsen, Richard Jaeckel, Michael Ansara, and Ruth Roman. Linda Day George, not a great actress, contributes next to nothing. Christopher George is a macho-man, along with Ansara. Out of character, Nielsen plays an advertising man who chews up the scenery, repels everybody, and calls team leaders George "Hotshot" and Ansara "Kemo Sabe." Later deranged by the sun's rays, he does despicable things and even charges a bear! Personally I doubt that the animals would act this erratic way and turn against humans if the ozone layer shrinks, but the idea does provide a story-line. By the way, did you notice that the animals did not attack one other? Smart! THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION: Women, stop using hair spray!
Star Master INTRO: Why I gave this film an 8 was based mainly on the time in history it was made. If it was made today I probably would have rated it differently. For a late 70's film it did a good job at keeping me invested, but I always was a sucker for the slow-burn formula.PROS: Leslie Nelson's character. Man is an animal too. How they were able to create killer animals through practicals alone without any need for CGI.CONS: The age of the film.OUTRO: I'd love to see a modern day remake of this. With the right writer, director, composer, producer (and no executives putting their great creative ideas in there), the remake could turn out to be a wild and fantastical B-Grade experience.
udar55 Hiking guides Steve Buckner (Christopher George) and Santee (Michael Ansara) take a group of civilians (including Leslie Nielsen, Andrew Stevens, Richard Jaeckel, Ruth Roman and, naturally, Lynda Day George) into the California mountains. What they don't know is that a hole in the ozone layer is allowing rays from the sun to reach animals and make them thirsty for human blood! If you are looking for the ultimate "animals gone truly wild" movie, check out William Girdler's entertaining-as-hell flick. This has snakes, birds, mountain lions, dogs, wolves, and bears (oh my!) stalking (in perhaps the greatest tribute to the Kuleshov effect) and going off. The cast is great all around with the stand out being Nielsen as a racist jerk ad man from the city ("Hey, did you know Indians can't cry?"). Girdler effectively stages several attack scene but seems to have dug himself into a hole regarding how to correct all of this at the climax. The end is a total cop out as the animals just roll over and die ("We're lucky it stopped when it did"). Regardless, it is a great ride getting there. I mean, where else can you get to see a shirtless Nielsen wrestle a bear?
ThrownMuse This is a highly amusing 70s "when the Ozone Layer depletes and Animals Attack!" disaster flick that should appeal to anyone who likes these kinds of movies. It has a fun cast featuring the incomparable Ruth Roman, the slightly-daft-but-that's-why-we-love-her Lynda Day George, Andrew Stevens when he was still somewhat humpy, and Leslie Neilsen in a straight-faced role like you've never seen him before...and never want to see him again. You've got all the expected plot elements here: the group disagreeing and splitting up, the one dude who gets fed up and goes bonkers, slo-mo death shots, and lots of faux animal action! Highlights include jumping rats and Nielsen dancing with a grizzly.
