Empire's Slither Movie Review

Plot
The slumbering Southern town of Wheelsy becomes the focal point of an alien invasion when an extraterrestrial parasite crashes to Earth and possesses the town bully (Rooker). As the alien’s spawn turns the townsfolk into zombies, chief of police Bill Pardy (Fillion) sets out to turn the tide.

Dawn Of The Dead remake scribe James Gunn returns to the zombie genre for his directorial debut. But where Dawn was the rejuvenation of a seminal ’70s horror, Slither is a loving nod to the shoddy charms of countless bottom-shelf titles that littered ’80s video stores.

From the initial crash sequence, we’re under no illusions as to what’s in store: slime, blood, phlegm and gore, splattered about with giddy glee as the movie wallows in the primordial muck of its DTV origins. But it’s worth pointing out that, self-aware as it may be, this is still a low-rent romp with throwaway plot, stock B-movie characters and an emphasis on splatter — hardly a giant leap for the genre.

However, Gunn does show some needed restraint — it would have been easy to blow his budget on unwarranted post-production. Instead, the director uses CGI only to enhance the horrific mutations he’s created, relying on acres of dripping, fleshy prosthetic to carry the monster’s share of effects and making the horror all the more visceral (and faithful) for it.

Entrails and appendages make up only one part of Slither’s appeal, though. While Michael Rooker’s shambling horde takes over the town and increasingly disgusting mutants go on the offensive (watch out for the killer deer!), Gunn underwrites the carnage with a parched sense of humour that provokes barking belly laughs to off-set the offal. A string of artfully delivered one-liners and deftly handled exchanges crackle through the script, the (quite intentional) comedy not only adding substance but hoisting Slither above its schlocky source material.

It’s no surprise that the majority of laughs are ably captured by Fillion, showing off the knack for deadpan delivery previously tapped by Joss Whedon in Serenity. As Pardy, he fills out the role of an unlikely hero dealing with extraordinary events, bringing bumbling affability to a part that could so easily have been lost to square jaws, steely eyes and other clumsy stereotypes.

Tipping its hat at everything from the original Puppet Masters to bargain-bin trash like Ted Nicolaou’s TerrorVision, Slither is a carefully crafted parody (the Predator nod in particular will bring a smile to your face). But this is the scalpel to the Scary Movie series’ bludgeoning sledgehammer, skirting cheap imitation in favour of affectionate irreverence and managing to produce a genre hybrid that’s far more than the sum of its pilfered parts.

Absoutly crap!
Is everyone stupid! Waht part of this film was actually suppossed to be funny??!!! Please tell me, because me and my cousin couldn't find ONE bi of it that was funny, the film was just really really really gross!!!!! ... More


Posted by Empo at 11:34, 04 May 2006 \| Report This Post




entertaining small town meets bugs horror hokum - why describe it as ''this years shaun of the dead'' though. Nowhere near as good and funny. More suspense needed in this like the girl in the bath sequence which was really well done. Might be more fun on dvd. ... More


Posted by john Maclaine at 18:42, 03 May 2006 \| Report This Post




Classic B-movie. Funny, gory, slimy, OTT, eveything you could ask for. I hope the execs in Hollywood take note, CG should only be used to enhance a film not to dominate it. This is a film that proves it. ... More


Posted by qualidad at 22:33, 02 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
Did anyone stay 'till after the end credits? Theres a great gag that possibly sets up a sequel.... ... More


Posted by DJ Rob C: Mark II! at 15:27, 02 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
un, better than the overated Shaun of the Dead but not quite as good as the best B-movie ever, Tremors. It's perfectly paced, the characters are likable and well defined, the dialogue is first rate and there's a great sense of fun and sillyness to the whole film. Plus Nathon Fillion is superb and methinks this will probably be more enjoyable than all the major blockbusters this year. Go see. 4/5 Edit: What's the name of the song that plays in the ends credits? ... More


Posted by Dave B at 10:30, 02 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
EDIT: Bugger, already reviewed this. The mind is going, I tell you! ... More


Posted by Bulletproof_Monk at 10:11, 02 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
I admit, I had high expectations of Slither since Empire gave it so many stars of greatness, however so many people are comparing it to Shaun of the Dead, which really isn't necessary. It's an excellent film in it's own right. Grotesque, amusing, gritty, gorey and hopelessly sickening. Those worm-like suckers gave me the shudders and there was more than one time I was cowering behind my coat. Slither is not a jumpin' in your seat kind of movie though and that made me like it even more. ... More


Posted by Jessica_ca_ca_ca at 09:34, 02 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
I actually enjoyed this film, it was a laugh. I know I sound suprised, because I was expecting it to be really bad. But what a suprise; I was chuckling to myself and grossed out at points and suprised at the gore.... I will give this film 4 stars, because compared to what I thougt it would have been like, I have been pleasently suprised. Oh how I laughed. ... More


Posted by Stanley Kubrick at 23:20, 01 May 2006 \| Report This Post



Slither
I entered the cinema to see Slither with the hope that it would rival, and maybe even beat Sean of the dead, it's closest competitor in the world of films. However, despite my hopes, i discovered that Slither did not live up to the task. Firstly, the story. James Gunn sets the mood perfectly- a meteor rockets to earth behind an oblivious police car, we have a foul mouthed mayor, a witty policeman and his old and slightly overweight partner, a beautiful young heroine and her bully for a husband. ... More


Posted by Parvin_meister_jam at 21:21, 01 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Good, Gory Fun
I saw this today after looking forward to it for months. It wasn't as great as I'd hoped, but I still liked it. Loved the film references- R J MacReady on a shop sign, Earl Basset high school, the Predator music homage were all great and fun to spot. Nathan Fillion is a star and is about time Hollywood woke the fuck up and noticed it. Or maybe its good that they haven't so he can keep making cult films to be. I would love a sequel to this, but can't imagine how they'd go about it an... More

Posted by Shifty Bench at 20:22, 01 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Good, Gory Fun
a good twenty minutes or so to find its feet but once it does it races along like Linford Christie. It's silly, predictable and very derivative, but nonetheless is hugely entertaining. The effects manage just the right balance of scary/funny and there are a couple of genuinely nasty moments. The cast are all good with Greg Henry being a definite standout, but Nathan Fillion does much to cement the star power he displays in y.p; Go see! ... More


Posted by Scruffybobby at 10:53, 01 May 2006 \| Report This Post



Good, Gory Fun
A better film on a second viewing and it reminded me of Peter Jacksons "Braindead" which is a very good thing. And if Nathan Fillion does'nt become a huge star it'll be a crime. ... More


Posted by PaulJohn at 01:26, 01 May 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
Seeing this film provided me with a much need break from the surge of arthouse films I have been watching of late. The effects, mood and many scenes were fondly reminiscent of the 1990 schlock horror films Tremors and Arachnophobia, and the cast were just as likeable. Despite being unoriginal (for the most part) this film never annoys or tires, and shows that predictability can work when in the right hands. Terrifically awful squirmish fun. ... More


Posted by Shawlord at 22:49, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
Absolutely brilliant. I loved it to bits. Nathan Fillion was fantastic too. I was doubtful at first, as the first part of the film kind of sagged a bit as it followed Mr and Mrs Grant, but as soon as the search party came together the film found its place. T'was great. ... More

Posted by Mojo at 21:06, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither
The first 20 minutes or so had me seriously doubting that this was going to be worth sitting through in its entirety, but once it had set the scene and actually moved on with the story, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. It doesn't try too hard, which is probably what really makes it. It knows it is not going to be some cinematic great, or even a great of the horror genre, it's just an enjoyable romp involving lots of ickyness. Not a particularly hilarious film, just c... More


Posted by JV at 16:51, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Slither = Shaun of the dead
L: GavinD I saw this on saturday and i think it's the most hilarious horror comedy since Shaun of the dead. It made me laugh my head off although it did have a scene exactly like SOTD the shotgun bit. In SOTD Shaun gets a shotgun aims it at the Zombie pulls the trigger nothing happens. I laughed then but when i saw it on Slither when what's her face aims at the zombie-ish people pulls the trigger bam nothing happens. It had the audienece in histericks but not me. hmmm too cliche. well..t... More

Posted by maffew at 15:29, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post




Very, very funny/scary, it's just a shame that they tried to over-use humour in situations that were funny anyway. Nathan Fillion is bloody excellent and the gore was cool. Great cult film, me thinks. ... More


Posted by Q.T at 14:22, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post




Whilst I enjoyed this film, once again I feel its another case of a horror flick being overhyped. The film was funny but not hilarious, gory but not overly so. If yougo in expecting the "best horror comedy" since the last one, you may be disappointed, but go in for a good time and you'll be ok. Slither: good but not great. ... More


Posted by skeletonjack at 12:54, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post



Slither = Shaun of the dead
I saw this on saturday and i think it's the most hilarious horror comedy since Shaun of the dead. It made me laugh my head off although it did have a scene exactly like SOTD the shotgun bit. In SOTD Shaun gets a shotgun aims it at the Zombie pulls the trigger nothing happens. I laughed then but when i saw it on Slither when what's her face aims at the zombie-ish people pulls the trigger bam nothing happens. It had the audienece in histericks but not me. hmmm too cliche. Other than that it was ve... More


Posted by GavinD at 12:51, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Friday night fun!
Perfect Saturday night entertainment - blood, guts n wisecracks. More consitantly amusing and entertaining than particularly hilarious or inventive, but a really fun option if you're looking to spend a couple of hours entertained. 3/5 ... More


Posted by Bulletproof_Monk at 10:50, 30 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Friday night fun!
Bloody superb At once extremly funny, yet very gory and quite scary at points too p; Well worth seeing for anyone who likes films in general ... More


Posted by DJ Rob C: Mark II! at 23:10, 29 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Friday night fun!
Enjoyable gross-out horror comedy, full of humour and thankfully lacking in sentimentality. Not in the same league as f the Deadell worth a watch anyway. There are some great "Ewwwwwwwwww" moments and some chuckles too. Good fun.. I would give it 4/5, but that is what Empire gave SotD, so 3/5 it has to be. ... More

Posted by joemanji at 10:21, 29 April 2006 \| Report This Post



Friday night fun!
Hello, here is a friday night horror film. It is gory. It is funny, In places, it's just plain daft. Nathan Fillion is in it. Loved it loved it loved it. Nuff said. Bring on Slither 2! ... More


Posted by VincentHanna at 01:51, 29 April 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Hoorah!
Gonna have to disagree with Empire on this one ...... new Shawn of the Dead this is not! ... More

Posted by jonnywilcox at 23:59, 28 April 2006 \| Report This Post



Hoorah!
I thought that they were tongues, not alien slugs, which was a little dissapointing. Only a small thing really, but still. ... More


Posted by JasonC19 at 07:31, 28 April 2006 \| Report This Post



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SlitherBrain-washing aliens take over a small town. Brilliant.

Slither
Brain-washing aliens take over a small town. Brilliant.