ARACHNID(2002)

Reviewed By:Paul Cooke

Director : Jack Sholder

Producers : Brian Yuzna & Julio Fernandez

Starring : Chris Potter , Alex Reid & José Sancho

From Brian Yuzna’s Fantastic Factory comes this latest web spin cycle of monster movie that actually blows away the cobwebs with tongue firmly ensconced in cheek , delivering up a fun outing for ‘B’ movie shlock fans the world over. With a fast and furious opening five minutes , that has an alien spacecraft poaching sea life specimens attracting the attention of a test pilot in a stealth plane , the plot scenario is set as both craft collide and an intergalactic cargo is released into the eco system of a remote South Pacific island. Within a year the local inhabitants are falling sick and dying from lethal doses of unrecognised toxins from what appear to be spider bites. A medical team along with a top entomologist are escorted by a small team of heavily armed military soldiers , as led by Valentine played by star Chris Potter , into the jungle to seek out the nature of the outbreak fast becoming an epidemic. Newcomer Alex Reid plays female pilot Mercer who flies them in to the island with a personal agenda of her own as it is soon revealed that her interests go beyond just another job as she is seeking the whereabouts of her brother , who coincidently so happens to have been the stealth pilot now listed as missing in action. It is not long before the eclectic band are set upon by the mutated inhabitants of the island in the form of ticks that burrow into the skin of one of the hapless soldiers which before too long ends in a bloody evacuation of the multiplying creatures as they exit through his mouth , and with unexpected sanguinary fashion in gory detail through an eye , before a multiple armed response ends their short tirade of bloody burrowing.

The traditional fare of typically standard acting associated with this mid entry level of monster movie is but wanton entre fodder for brief screen time as most fall prey to the newly established indigenous mutated inter species insect life forms , leaving the more proficient hero types to acquaint themselves with the titular star of the show. With the obvious signs of rather large silky web patterns adorning flora and fauna the bumbling entomologist , who has an amusingly passing resemblance to Ted Raimi , is taken for a spin courtesy of the rather splendid looking monster sized spider as decked out with an exoskeleton and a taste for blood that is a quantum leap forward in realism far exceeding the corny delights of , ‘ The Giant Spider Invasion ’, back in the days when string was applied to more than just Thunderbirds. The fight for survival begins as the spider takes on the remaining members of the expedition and boisterous starlet Alex Reid really comes into her own as she infuses a strong Lara Croft exterior , whilst retaining her naturally womanly beauty in going blow for blow with her venomous opponent.

In true Sci Fi Fifties and Sixties style , with man against mutated species , the totally silly but ever so fun finale engages monster Arachnid showdown amongst a spawning ground of spider eggs. The outcome deciding which female has the venom to survive. Director Jack Sholder has delivered a very well framed and nicely shot pure escapism film that both action fans and monster movie lovers will delight in , and unlike so many other low budget outings that have barely a leg to stand on , this one has eight.

Film: 2 1/2 Bitch Slaps

Film Reviewed : Arachnid

Production : 2002

Format : DVD

Release : Mosaic Entertainment

Coding : PAL Region 2

Sound : Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0

Extras : Trailer / Photo Gallery / Production Notes