PLOT: In a post-apocalyptic United States, a scientist in possession of a deadly parasite goes on the run from a government agent trying to procure it and the rural gang that is just out to cause him trouble.
If you had told me this was an Italian film, I would have believed you. This movie feels off, but it kind of makes it a decent watch, if for no other reason, there’s some decent puppet work at play here. At times, it feels like Neil Breen before Neil Breen; at other times, it feels like a Joe D’Amoto movie. I can’t decide if either of those things makes it a good movie, but there are flashes of a worthwhile watch in here.
Robert Glaudini plays Dr. Paul Dean, a scientist in a post-apocalyptic United States. He’s developed a parasite that grows as it eats. When he realizes the government plans to use it to control the population, Dean steals the parasite, infecting himself in the process. Dean then goes to the middle of nowhere in an attempt to hide, but with a government agent on his tail and a band of rural agitators looking to cause trouble, he finds it difficult to keep the parasite under wraps. Along the way, he finds help from a young lemon farmer, Patricia, played by a 20-year-old Demi Moore.
There’s not much here notable overall. It’s obvious, with the limited locations, that this was a very low budget film shot in the middle of nowhere. It’s kind of sleazy, with a handful of cool moments, and it’s always interesting to see a big star in such a small movie such as this. I’ll say that the parasite design is kind of cool, there are some practical effect moments at the end that are well done, but watching this moment and the enjoyment you’re going to get from it is wholly dependent on your perspective. If you’re looking for a good movie to watch during the month of October, I’d say look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a cheap, grindhouse-y horror film that you can probably poke a little fun at, It’s not bad for that sort of viewing.
OVERALL
Not great, but moments of interest pop in and out of this movie. The cheapness of this movie makes it silly at points, but it does deliver when we get to see the parasite in all its glory. It’s always interesting to see someone like Demi Moore in their early days, and she does an okay job in this movie, about what the role deserves. But, for example, we just recently watched George Clooney in Return to Horror High, and you can sort of tell that he was destined for bigger and better things, even in the short screen time he had. Moore, in this one, is just kind of there. The most interesting performance in this movie is by Luca Bercovici, who had a bit of a John Glover presence, but is ultimately better known for directing Ghoulies.
The Main Damie 