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Overall Rating : 5.5/10
Directed By : Jim Mickle
Nick Damici
Kim Blair
Ron Brice (Ripe)
Bo Corre
Supplied By : Lionsgate Films
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : March. 26, 2008
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| PLOT The city that never sleeps may shut its eyes for good when a deadly infection turns its residents into savage creatures. There is only hope for a small few, including six recently evicted tenants who must protect their crumbling apartment complex as the city around them is thrown into chaos. |
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| THE REVIEW In MULBERRY STREET a deadly infection that is contacted by rat bites spreads rapidly across the city of Manhattan. Those that come in contact with the infection are slowly turned into human rat like creatures, who have a craving for human flesh - leaving the ones who have yet to be infected, to fight for there lives. Thus we follow a group of 6, very different people whom all live in the same apartment complex, as they band together to find a way to safety. But with the creatures coming from just about every direction, and with people among themselves transforming, those who are left find that the fight will not be an easy one. When I first received my Horrorfest 2007 set in the mail, I basically randomly picked them for review, as I new very little about any of them, except for NIGHTMARE MAN, with I reviewed almost 2 years ago. I'd have to say that out of the set, MULBERRY STREET seemed like one of them that stuck out the most, due being praised by so many, and just for my overall interest in the story. It has been compared to the film 28 DAYS LATER and it's sequel 28 WEEKS LATER in style, and I have to agree. It is much similar, I personally am not a fan of 28 DAYS later, so much so that I have yet to see the sequel. But what I can say for MULBERRY STREET is that I enjoyed it much better. I honestly at first expected a slow pace from this film, but it doesn't take long for its plot to begin moving smoothly, and there is enough suspense and action to keep your eyes focused. MULBERRY STREET as you will notice from the beginning, is a low budget effort, but in my opinion, it's execution far surpasses it's budget. This is a prime example of and a validation of the quote "make the best of what you have", because MULBERRY STREET does just that. With limited locations, and just about limited everything, the filmmakers are able to create something worthwhile with competent direction and creative camera angles and setups - it doesn't take you long to forget about it's low budget. Yes this plot does involve rat people, which is a nice change, but in all actuality it is a plot that could easily be interchangeable. Without the focus put on the rats, MULBERRY STREET is more or less just another zombie film. As a matter of fact, it is one to add to the list of films that seem to be in the vein of DAWN OF THE DEAD and DAY OF THE DEAD. But again, even with the familiar plot, the Director still finds a way within his limited budget to make it his own, and most of all, not bore us like so many of similar films do. I found enjoyment in MULBERRY STREET, because it's not your typical new age Horror film, as it has that 1970's feel to it - a time where films weren't always meant to be serious, some of them were made purely for entertainment, and in my opinion, this film is one of them. |
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| GORE
METER 3.5/10 Some bloody flesh eating scenes and a bashed skull, are all that I seem to remember, not very gory, but still effective. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5/10 The soundtrack mostly consists of rock tunes, that seem to be 70's inspired, which helps out that 1970s feel for the film. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I enjoyed MULBERRY STREET, as it had a lot of great action scenes and it amazes me how well executed the film is, given it's budget. It might not be as good as some people say it is, but it is entertaining and worth seeing, |
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