A true horror fan usually has one favorite sub-genre, whether it is slasher, comedy-horror, or even zombie, but usually the fans enjoy viewing something different especially when that film pays homage to other horror classics. That is exactly what director Jon Wright created for audiences, with Grabbers, that caught the attention of IFC Films for distribution. Writer Kevin Lehane mixes action with absurdity and layers the horror with broad strokes, and yet quite effectively playing on the creature features of Tremors and Aliens, following the general rules in the category. This film truly embraces the stereotypes of the Irish people, and yet once more overseas horror films, have no problem with this aspect, the humor points to multiple vulgarities and suspenseful drunken scenes.
Officer Lisa Nolan (Ruth Bradley) arrives on a small island of Ireland, while another goes on vacation, teaming her with a partner Ciaran O’Shea (Richard Coyle), who’s a borderline alcoholic, which sets up the first of many stereotypical references to the Irish culture. Not only do their characters clash, but also Lisa presents herself as more narrow-minded, with rigid morals, but evolves with the cast developing such as Paddy (Lalor Roddy), bizarre behavior recalls that of the Crazy Ralph staple character in horror films. The laughter of one-liners, facial reactions, and calls for survival protection, fits perfectly, for those to avoid death, drink heavily, a defense against the creatures. The entire cast really expands the character’s limits with the drunkenness card played repeatedly and yet never leading to a boring experience for the audience. Once more, Jon, works at keep everything in check, nothing proceeding too over-the-top, balancing the comedy and horror, lingering to the darker off color humor at the correct moment. Dr. Adam Smith (Russell Tovey) brings the seriousness to film, with examination of marine life and the species in general, as is always common in the monster flicks, the good doctor, representation convincingly held in high standing in the film. In Fact, most of the cast, has the experience of working in the horror genre, and understand how the screenplay builds the suspense and scares, while the humor gives the viewers a moment to breathe and relax, before reloading for more jolts that are fun.
This film reminds creature fans of those b-movie classics from the 1950’s to 1960’s with The Crawling Eye (1958), The Day of the Triffids (1963), and Island of Terror (1966) it is a monster movie plain and simple, but the creature stays hidden until necessary. The CGI effects kept to a minimum likely due to budget concerns and not to overdue the fun of the beast, including the tentacles, whips, and one oversized mouth reminiscent of Deep Rising (1998). Many past viewers identified the name of this movie to mirror Tremors (1990), which its monsters nicknamed Graboids, but Jon’s movie does stand on its own, regardless of the critics. However, speaking of critics, a large complaint comes from lack of explanation of the creation transportation’s of the alien race, a ridiculous issue to say the least. No viewer really cares how the creatures arrive, rather how much carnage they will cause, many times the aliens arrive through a meteor shower, and serves enough data. Grabbers, holds firmly to the traditional monster movie that served well in the British theater, and have entertained in the United States to the fringe fans, though those with keen interest in British humor will find larger laughs with production.
As a fan of the creature feature, recalling the films on Saturday afternoons, the classic b-movies always gave the best bang for the buck, and herein the best blood-sucking alien equals the next Irish people overindulging themselves with a pint for survival from the menace. The star of this film, the beast stays covertly hidden until the precise moment for the unleashing and reveals itself as an enormous monster, which grabs both the attention of the viewer and the victims with intense force. This film provides quite a bit for everyone to enjoy, except the hardcore horror fans, the carnage rarely appears on the screen more of suggestion, which works very well for many filmmakers. Nevertheless, the action and a well-paced film, keep the movie from any dull moments, so sit back and have an adult friendly beverage.
This review was originally published on the Rogue Cinema site in April of 2015 with a view count of 1,749.
https://www.facebook.com/GrabbersTheMovie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1525366/
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Baron’s Rating: 6.5/10
TAGLINES:
- Last call at the bar.
- Take your best shot. [Scandinavian Blu-ray.]
- In Case Of Alien Attack: Break Glass, Drink Me
- They Are Coming!
- It’s gonna be a monster session.
- For the locals on Erin Island, it’s the final round.
- Final call at the bar.
- Fight to the last round.
- If you don’t get blasted, you’re gonna get wasted!
- Erin Island is under attack… and the locals are getting pissed.
- For the locals on Erin Island, it’s last orders.
- Sobriety Kills!
- Drink to Live!