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Overall Rating : 3/10
Directed By : Jim Wynorski
Michelle Borth (Trespassers)
Jerri Manthey (Survivor (TV) )
Glori-Anne Gilbert (The Witches of Breastwick)
Michael Paré (Bloodrayne)
Supplied By : Lionsgate Films
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Jun. 28, 2006
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| PLOT A group of special forces arrives on a remote tropical island to investigate a top-secret research facility that has recently fallen off the map, with no communication to let outsiders know what happened. Upon arrival the men discover something horrible has occurred, with giant komodo dragons and cobras battling it out while they attempt to regain control of the island. |
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| THE REVIEW KOMODO VS. COBRA, tells the story of a group of scientists that are conducting secret agriculture studies on a secluded island. They have developed a method to make crops, such as corn grow both larger and stronger, this is all in an effort to feed those in need, but when the US Military hear about the studies they are curious to do some testing of their own. They are convinced that this chemical will somehow make their soldiers immune to biological and chemical warfare, and they suggest that Dr. Richardson test it initially on some sort of animal first - and as you probably guessed already, the animals were no other than the Komodo Dragon and King Cobra. At first the experiments looked great, but not long after the tests proved to be a mistake of epic proportions and the reptiles grow to a freakishly large size, and with the news size comes a larger appetite and they demolish whomever steps foot on the secret island - even the scientists. Well, in comes our team of researchers known as "One Planet" along with their boat captain, a news reporter and the famous actress girlfriend of one of the researchers, they have all come to the island to investigate the mysterious experiments - what they find is that the Komodo and cobras has literally taken over the island in an intense battle between themselves. With the help of Dr. Richardson's daughter, Susan - the loan survivor of the experimental team, they must avoid the massive creatures as well has the Military whom plan to to destroy the island to cover up their secrets in order to stay alive. KOMODO VS. COBRA, is actually the second Komodo Dragon film directed by Jim Wynorski, the first being The Curse of the Komodo. Jim Wynorski a man known for directing over the top cheese filled B-flicks, whom happens to be one of my favorite B movie directors. He has directed such films as CHEERLEADER MASSACRE, SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE 2, and the more serious B-film, and cult favorite CHOPPING MALL. While the majority of his films are highly off the wall and never serious, he sometimes chooses to use one of many alias for whatever reason, I don't know - with this one, instead of using his real name he uses Jay Andrews. With whatever name he directs under, one thing remains in tact, and that is Wynorski's ability to turn something so stupid and ridiculous into something almost or thoroughly enjoyable, with this film, however it is "almost". This plot could have worked much better, as I have seen similar plots, such as the one for SWARMED turn out far more effective - even Wynorski's own remake of the Roger Corman classic WASP WOMAN has a similar plot, and it happens to be one of my favorite Wynorski films. Being a Wynorski fan, I knew I was in for some cheesy CGI Komodos and Cobras and that's just what I got. These effects are really, really bad, so bad that not for one second, would you believe they were real - the Komodos are more than likely the same ones used in The Curse of the Komodo, I am not sure because I have not seen it. The actors also have to pretend like they are being chased by giant reptiles, and sometimes it is just downright awful and funny - almost like human beings have been placed in a live action video game. Speaking of the acting, I can't really judge this one. I guess I could say it's about as average as you'd expect from a group of people trying to be scared of something that's not there. I don't know why Jerri Manthey is here - I mean, you're in a reality show called SURVIVOR, and now in a movie about surviving, and cracking jokes like "This is one island you would want to be voted off of" give me a break.... I did however enjoy seeing Michelle Borth and Renee Talbert, who are both beautiful, and from what I collected from this, very talented. KOMODO VS. COBRA, utilizes all of Wynorski's usual tricks of the trade, from cheesy CGI, what appears to be green screen background, and the recent usual stock footage(this time it happens to be blended in better than any other previous time he has used it) As I said however, this film could've been executed better, because some of Wynorski's films are quite good and have had a cult following for years - With KOMODO VS. COBRA, he doesn't quite win me over as he has done in the past. |
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| GORE
METER 2/10 The only gore comes in the form of the creatures eating shamans, but surprisingly it is not very bloody - but unrealistic yes.... |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 4/10 Most of the music here are many variations of the main theme song for the movie....I thought it fit the film, it does have that B-Movie quality. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I can't say I really enjoyed this film, but I can never really hate a Jim Wynorski film - he is like a Lloyd Kaufman - only with a little more seriousness and maybe sanity(but you still have to love Mr. Kaufman!) If you really want to see some of Wynorski's films i'd recommend SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE 2, WASP WOMAN, or possibly his most serious horror film to date,in my opinion, CHOPPING MALL. This DVD will be released on July 25, 2006 |
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