Back in the 80s the glut of low budget horror films was
running rampant. Most weren’t playing in theaters around the country but the
movies did make their way to the grindhouses of the world and then onto video
store shelves where horror and gore fans flocked to find the latest release.
One such film that garnered attention as well as a small cult following was the
film SLUGS, new on blu-ray from Arrow Video.
The story is fairly simple and feels like it was derived
from the tons of oversized radiation induced monsters of the fifties. A small
town is having a rash of murders occurring and no one seems to know what the
cause is. Each victim seems to have been eaten alive, their skin and flesh
wolfed down to the bone. With no trace of evidence to connect the murders to
anyone local Sheriff Reese is at wits end.
The local health inspector, Mike Brady, is called to the
scene of the first known death. Brady and Sheriff Reese never have seen eye to
eye, not in small part due to the Sheriff’s always angry disposition. How this
man ever got elected is beyond me. Looking for clues Mike doesn’t find anything
definite but he does notice a trail of slime at the murder scene.
As the film progresses more people are killed and in the
most gore filled ways. One young teen couple is fooling around only for the
girl to fall out of bed and into a massive pile of the man eating blood sucking
slugs that are the protagonist in the film. Like the title didn’t give that
away. Nude and covered in blood and slugs her fate is sealed. The same holds
true for various other town folks who are attacked and killed.
By the time Brady figures out what is going on he tries to
warn the mayor and Sheriff. But with a major development deal in the making and
the folks behind it in town no one wants to hear about it. With the help of his
best friend, the town planner, they take to the sewer system with the aid of
the local high school science teacher to flush out the slugs and bring an end
to their reign of terror.
So the first question is, is this film any good. Seriously?
With a title like SLUGS you ask that question? Of course it isn’t a great
cinematic achievement. But then again with a title like that and a plot to
match why would anyone expect it to be Oscar material. So let’s rephrase that
question. Is the film a fun filled romp that is absurd, gore filled, cheezy and
enjoyable if you let it be so? Absolutely. Don’t go in expecting great theater
and you’ll have some fun with this one.
The over the top gore aspect of this film is exactly what
made those films in the 80s pop with horror fans. Having gone through decades
with little gore and then fueled by films like DAWN OF THE DEAD the gore factor
suddenly took off through the roof. Slimy slugs with big mouths and sharp teeth
as well as being able to slide along faster than real life slugs seemed like a
natural antagonist. This American/Spanish production made the best of what
small story there was and created one of those movies that popped up on cable
non-stop and rented well at video stores.
While those VHS copies are still found, more often than not
for sale on ebay, this release puts all of those to shame. Arrow Video, who
I’ve hailed before for saving genre titles and non-mega hits that still have
fans, has done it again with a quality transfer of the film. The washed out,
blurry tape versions have been replaced with a sharp picture that is amazing
considering the sources. The sound is also amazing.
If that wasn’t enough the extras are enough to keep you busy
as well. Included are an audio commentary track by writer/filmmaker Chris
Alexander, HERE’S SLUGS IN YOUR EYE – an interview with actor Emilio Linder,
THEY SLIME THEY OOZE THEY KILL: THE EFFECTS OF SLUGS – an interview with
special effects artist Carlo De Marchis, INVASION USA – an interview with are
director Gonzalo Gonzalo, THE LYONS DEN – an interview and locations tour with
production manager Larry Ann Evans, a 1988 Goya Awards promo reel, the original
theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork and a
fully illustrated collector booklet with new writing by writer Michael Gingold.
When watched with the movie it’s enough to keep you busy for an entire evening.
So SLUGS isn’t a cinematic achievement that major film
scholars will be dissecting for years to come. It’s fun! It’s one of those
movies that you don’t have to look for subtext in or find political
implications running throughout. It is a simple monster movie with the oddest
choice of creature you can think of. Pop this one during a party and watch
folks howl with laughter while groaning at the gore scenes as well. It’s a
popcorn movie for those with strong stomachs and fun for horror fans who will
want to add this one to their collection.
Click here to order.
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