Slither (www.the-usher.com)

"What the hell is that"

The sleepy town of Wheelsy was used to have an influx of visitors at the start of deer hunting season but this year something comes to town that might just change everything. When Grant Grant (Rooker) discovers a strange creature in the woods near his house, it bites him and stars to feel a little strange. When that strange feeling start to manifest itself as boils all over his body, his wife Starla (Banks) realises that something is seriously wrong. Add to this the fact that everyone's pets have gone missing and her husband has started growing tentacles, Starla and the rest of the town might just have a serious problem.

The mixing of comedy and horror has had mixed results over the years but the good news is that 'Slither' is no 'Scary Movie'.

With more in common with films like 'Tremors' and 'Shaun of the Dead', the presentation is a homage to the classic horror and science fiction B-Movies of the 50s and 60s. A meteor strikes near the little town of Wheelsy but this is no ordinary rock from another world, it contains an organism that penetrates, kills and then takes over the body of its victim. As it takes over the one of the most prominent citizens of the town, it soon becomes apparent that it has a bigger agenda.

When James Gunn successfully brought the classic George A. Romero movie 'Dawn of the Dead' up to date for the new millennium, he came onto Hollywood's horror radar. So when given some creative freedom he brings us a horror comedy has pays homage to all the classic clichés of the genre and provides some genuine laughs along the way.

Gunn has gathered together an ensemble cast of actors that are on the edge of the radar and ones that you know always will deliver. Nathan Fillion's star is definitely on the rise and his role as police chief Bill Pardy will only draw more attention. He has the classic Hollywood look that could easily see him filling the action void left by Harrison Ford. Elizabeth Banks is also an up and coming star that is making a big impression in Hollywood. Already having a reoccurring role in the 'Spider-Man' franchise, she is on the radar and proving that she is an actress that is much more than just her good looks. Tania Saulnier also makes an impact as the only surviving victim of the first slug attack, Kylie Strutemyer. She is making her case for the new horror scream queen.

Michael Rooker and Gregg Henry are names you might not recognise but you will know them. Rooker is excellent as Grant Grant, the first victim of the alien insurgance and the driving force of the invasion. Gregg Henry provides most of the comedy as Mayor Jack MacReady. His one-liners and obscenities are hilarious.

As with most B-Movie homage's, the characters and comedy elements stay the same but it is the special effects that are updated. The slugs and Grant Grant CG and makeup effects are first rate and are both horrific and funny. The look of the piece is also up to the highest standard, much like the director's previous film 'Dawn of the Dead'.

'Slither' is another good entry into the comedy/horror genre. While it might not be in the same league as 'Shaun of the Dead' it is a major step in the right direction for Hollywood and one that is a change from the usual remakes or sequels that the horror genre has been offering of late.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented extremely well.

BONUS FEATURES

Deleted Scenes (9.57 mins)
Entitled 'Mrs McCammon's House', 'Grant at work', 'Grant/Starla dinner scene #1', 'The meat filling scene', 'Grant takes the dog away', 'Grant/Starla dinner scene #2', 'Outside Dear Cheer Lodge' and 'Starla zones out in classroom', these deleted scenes have optional commentary by director James Gunn.

Visual Effects: Step by Step (5.04 mins)
Watch the visual effects stages needed to bring Grant and the aliens to life for 'Slither'.

Slithering set tour with Nathan Fillion (4.40 mins)
The star of the film takes his video camera around the sets of 'Slither' and gets in everyone's way in the process.

Who is Bill Pardy? (5.20 mins)
The cast and crew rip into Nathan Fillion and his character Bill Pardy.

Gag Reel (8.11 mins)
Watch the cast make a hash of their lines and goof about on the set in this montage of funny moments.

The sick minds and slimy days of Slither (10.04 mins)
Writer/Director James Gunn, producers Eric Newman and Paul Brooks and stars Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Gregg Henry, Michael Rooker and Tania Saulnier take you behind the scene of 'Slither'. The cast and crew talk about recreating the classic heyday of 80s horror movies and the casting for the movie.

The Gorehound Grill: Brewin' the Blood (3.17 mins)
Special effects maker Kurt Jackson shows you how to make your own fake blood.

Bringing Slither's Creatures to Life (18.37 mins)
Writer/director James Gunn, special makeup effects supervisor Todd Masters, visual effects supervisor John Gajdecki, producer Paul Brooks and stars Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Gregg Henry, Michael Rooker and Tania Saulnier reveal how the parasites, Brenda monster and the Grant House Monster were created.

The King of Cult: Lloyd Kaufman's Video Diary (8.59 mins)
The director of the Toxic Avenger movies and the president of Troma Entertainment takes a video camera behind the scenes of the film and talks about his cameo, working with James Gunn again and his career in the B-Movie world.

Feature Commentary with director James Gunn and actor Nathan Fillion
With James Gunn in Los Angeles and Nathan Fillion in Vancouver, the pair has a chatty conversation about bringing 'Slither' to the silver screen. They talk about the reasons for making the movie, its influences and paying homage to the 80s movies that writer/director loved. The pair also talks about the return to mainly practical effects of the film and the casting of the movie.

Trailers
Previews of 'Battlestar Galactica Season 2.5', 'American Dreamz' and 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift'

OVERALL

Filled with extras that cover most aspects of the films production and has the same sense of humour as the movie. The commentary track is very good and even though some of the featurettes are very short, they are funny and show you what it was like behind the scenes of a horror movie. Fans should be very pleased.

DVD

Shaun of the Dead

Tremors

The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks

Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher

2006