Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: An island, home to a small fishing town, is overrun by carnivorous cockroaches.
Review: Okay, time to FINALLY end the nightmare that was the 8-pack with "Bloody Murder." If you ever want to experience a glimpse into hell's bowels, marathon these 8 films. Just make sure you let someone know what you're doing so they can be on suicide watch. Well, what do we have this time around? Wait...this can't be right. Th--this movie is...actually...good?! Be still my beating heart. More accurately, it's above average, but it was certainly entertaining as far as killer bug movies go. In fact, the effects for the bugs were not bad at all. I truly feel sorry that this movie was lumped in with such abominations to cinema.
They don't really explain where these cockroaches came from which was lame. They imply they are a real species--hell, maybe they are--but they can't possibly be this dangerous in reality or the world would be dead. All we know is some guy on a boat was infested with them and thrown overboard. Magically, his body washes ashore on this island where the bugs almost instantly multiply. Conveniently enough, a troubled doctor arrives to get away from it all. Of course he is the first to figure this all out, but the inbred locals don't believe him. I know this all sounds cliche, however, they handle the material well. As I mentioned, the effects are pretty good with mostly real insects used. Likewise, the gore effects were decent as well; whoever decided to go with practical effects made the right decision. When they do switch over to occasional CGI use, it's still better than you'd expect given the low budget. The actors take the material seriously which helped to make the stakes feel worthwhile. The ending felt a bit rushed since the roaches suddenly sprout wings, become a swarm, and are blown up in one big explosion. This scene is followed by one more shot of a surviving roach flying toward a major city. In fairness, how else can you end a movie like this, right?
Even though this movie is nothing special, I was mildly impressed by how much they were able to accomplish. The acting, pacing, effects, and kills were all better than I thought they would be, and the overall story was interesting. Considering the other pieces of shit on this 8-pack, I dare say this would be the only objectively good entry of the bunch. Sure, the cliches are excessive, but that's why the rating is what it is; I can't completely hold the cookie cutter plot points against the film though. Would I recommend tracking this collection down to see this film? Fuck no! But, should someone torture you with this DVD, at least there is one silver lining.
Notable Moment: When it looks like the wind is blowing leaves in a gust only for it to be the cockroaches running through said leaves. It's hard to explain, but it was a surprisingly cool effect.
Final Rating: 5.5/10
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