By: debbie lynn elias
Opening this Friday is what many are calling an “adult” horror film (although for many being an adult is horror enough) but I guarantee teens, tweens, twenty-somethings and beyond will be slithering to their local theaters for one of the slimiest, goriest horror flicks in years – “Slither.”
Wheelsy is your typical Smalltown, USA. Quaint and quiet, the townspeople are essentially rural and folksy. Farm animals and pets abound. Making no never mind about anything each goes his or her separate way. Folksy charm oozes from every corner and every citizen. Grant Grant and his wife Starla are pillars of the community and loaded to boot. Folksy charm oozes from every corner. But as we all know, things this idyllic are not always what they seem and if they are, in a horror flick especially, happiness must turn to horror.
Slowly you being to notice little changes in the town. Flyers for missing pets are tacked and taped on every telephone wall and shop window available. Seemingly oblivious to the strange commonality and occurrence, the folks keep on going about their business – that is until mutilated livestock appear and a young girl disappears. . . and Grant Grant is acting suspiciously strange. A little ironic then that they notice Grant’s suddenly odd behavior but fail to notice a meteor crashing into the woods on the outskirts of town. (Hint, hint!!)
Facing the biggest challenge of his career, Sheriff Bill Pardy is called into investigate the situation. Viewing himself as a cross between CSI and Big City, USA police department tactical alert, Pardy, together with his right hand man, er, gal, Starla Banks and a team of highly specialized law enforcement officers (yeah, right) take on the challenge of uncovering the mystery behind the events that have befallen Wheelsy. And making things just a bit more interesting, hordes of slugs have appeared out of nowhere, creeping and crawling into and onto every orifice they can find. Where did they come from? What do they want? How do we get rid of them? Oh, the excitement and horror of it all!!!
In what I can only describe as one of the best cast movies I have ever seen, Nathan Fillion leads the pack as Sheriff Pardy. With impeccable, split second timing on his delivery, Fillion sets the pace. I first took notice of Fillion in “Blast From the Past.” Loud and obnoxious, he jockeyed from film to tv, perfecting his emotional range adding humorous or insincere sincerity to his performance. Stepping out of the box in the final season of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, he moved into more notable roles in “Firefly” and recently, “Serenity.” And now, we are treated to a Pardy that is shear perfection. With rapid-fire delivery, he can act, do action and whip out one liners without missing a beat. Absolutely terrific. Following Fillion’s lead is Michael Rooker as Grant Grant. Easily recognizable, for 20 years Rooker is the man to go to when you need someone who’s a double edged sword. Tough as nails, you always wonder when he’s on screen is he good? Is he evil? Is he your best friend or the bully down the street? As Grant, he combines all those aspects into one giving one of his finest performances in years. Rounding out the top leads is Elizabeth Banks as Starla. Typically cast in minor supporting roles, she finally gets here chance to shine here, and shine she does. Exuberant, timid, inquisitive, and adding just enough sex appeal for the guys in the audience (as if the horror aspect isn’t enough), she capitalizes on this role and goes for the gusto. Primarily the lone female in a “man’s world”, she more than holds her own against her male veteran counterparts.
Written and directed by one of my faves, James Gunn II, “Slither” is smart and witty with razor-edged humor, backboned by a sincere simplicity paying homage to its horror predecessors that makes this film more than enjoyable. With well-placed and well-timed tongue-in-cheek dialogue and scenes, you can’t help but chuckle if not guffaw at hidden little jokes such as the school nickname and mascot being “cooters.” Fast yet evenly paced, the script and cast are synergistic, keeping the action going and the audience enrapt.
Technically impressive, the film utilizes both CGI and old-fashioned effects giving this a timeless appeal. Add in buckets of goo and slime, and you’ve got something for everyone. Following Gunn’s theme of simplicity, Creature designer Danelle Vierkant’s work is superb. And let’s not forget what I can only describe as perhaps the best “monster make-up” to hit the big screen in many a year. Wait until you see what they have done to Michael Rooker!
Harkening back to the ageless fun-filled horror flicks of the 80’s, “Slither” is guaranteed to join those other classics from the studio that first brought us horror, Universal. Compelling, frightening, funny, heart pounding and even terrifying at times, slither, slink or slime your way to the theater for “Slither.”
Sheriff Pardy: Nathan Fillion
Grant Grant: Michael Rooker
Starla Grant: Elizabeth Banks
Written and directed by James Gunn. Released by Universal Studios. Rated R. (96 min)
