Doug Beswick, a special and visual effects creator, known for Aliens [1986] and Evil Dead II [1987] originally penned the screenplay for this film under the heading of “Cycle of Blood,” sometime back in the early 80s, but never moved past that point, perhaps due to the market of horror going coco-for-slasher movies and some splatter content. Then when the 90s arrived, and the slasher subgenre only existed primarily with franchises, this film rose to the surface once again; most likely discounted the flick as a virus from forest ticks, itty bitty dangerous pests, but quite to the contrary that these are larger monstrous creations. Nevertheless, Doug no longer involved as writer, but on-board as special fx, Brent V. Friedman, reworked the script heavily, under the title of Infested with characters having primarily fun in the flick; as executive producer Brian Yuzna (Re-Animator [1985]) attached his name to the project along with Republic Pictures and finally director Tony Randel (Hellbound: Hellraiser II [1988]). At the time of production, many horror magazines, such as Fangoria, began energetically promoting the pitched project, and the rumors of it getting a theatrical release started to buzz about quickly, as the horror genre was still a hot box office endeavor. The independents weren’t sidelined to home markets, however much of that changed by the release date, Paramount Studios once interested in distribution, had simply vanished, then finding overseas video releases in both Germany and Japan, would be almost a year before earning a limited showing on VHS in United States on May 24, 1994, since then it has taken a slow path to acquiring a small cultist following.

Before I dive into the storyline, a few little things need correcting, first many reviews and summaries concerning mislabeled ticks as insects, they are more closely associated to the species of spiders and scorpions. Next, the movie combines elements of the 1950s enlarged monstrosities of creature features, while incorporating the body horror often found with David Cronenberg films such as The Fly [1986]. In addition, yes, it is true the film lacks realism, but it was intended for entertainment and not, repeat not for documentary factualization, it embraces its shlock representation fully delaying the full effects until further into the movie, and with Randel allowing the story to grow slower.

The main story opens with Tyler (Seth Green (Holidays [2016])) being dropped off by his father at a highway overpass, as he’s being sent on a woodland retreat for wayward and troubled teens, and herein that’s code for inner city youths. While waiting, he begins a short-lived anxiety attack, as a so-called badass Panic aka Darrel stumbles upon him, (yeah that’s Carlton, from Fresh Prince, none other than Alfonso Ribeiro) and his dog Brutus, who bullies Tyler to a b-ball game, complete with a switchblade oh thrilling risk. Soon enough a van arrives with two youth counselors Charles (Peter Scolari) and his girlfriend Holly (Rosalind Allen) and customary cliché method of introductions as other stereotypical teens in it include Rome Hernandez (Ray Oriel), his girlfriend Dee Dee (Ami Dolenz (Children of the Night [1991])), Kelly Mishimoto (Dina Dayrit) and the organizer’s own mouthy daughter, Melissa (Virginya Keehne). Don’t worry about trying to discover their problems they aren’t that important to the overall script it’s primary focus is to introduce them to the ticks for a ghastly encounter for the viewers’ pleasure. No one checks for weapons or drugs, as all are on the honor system, besides who cares. At a gas-n-go, our travelers make a brief stop with Kelly having a brief encounter with two scuzzy individuals, another cliché, Jerry (Michael Medeiros (Alone in the Dark [1982])) and Sir (Barry Lynch), who of course shall become more involved later.

Meanwhile we have Jarvis (Clint Howard (Evilspeak [1981])), an illegal weed grower, using every illicit thing possible including steroids to grow his pot, hence it contaminates the water supplies and natural itself, thereby enhanced tick egg sacks, which has disastrous results. Once at the campsite, Charles and Holly take one cabin, the girls in the second cabin and the guy’s pile into the third, they notice a sick looking bug sack, though not as cool as that in Arachnophobia [1990], but before investigation by anyone they destroy it. As the teens split off from each other, battling their own demons and nature itself, we have Tyler and Melissa, having a walk in the woods when suddenly a large tick attaches to her clothes, but to the rescue is Tyler knocking it off, of course they hurry back to avail no one believes them. Later on, Brutus is attacked and killed which devastates Panic, who takes off in an attempt to return to the city, by the next day Sheriff Parker (Rance Howard, father to both Clint and Ron) has made a visit and advises them to take the dog to the local vet. As is common in monster and horror flicks, we have a doctor to explain what is happening in excessive details, and we get a much closer look of the large tick; in addition, there’s homage scene from Aliens [1986], a tad crafty. Our rednecks Jerry and Sir try to outrun the bugs and forest fire, and head straight into the remaining teens and counselors, with Panic aching in pain as he returns for the final act. He’s surviving using Rome’s steroids like candy, overcoming all the pain he has endured, from being stabbed, bitten, and mauled by ticks, even shot, and not once breaking into his infamous dance routine, just funky movements. That ending has many memorable monster moments, with ticks converging from all sorts of direction, until the final surprise. One thing many shall likely recalled is when Clint Howard’s character cries out “I’m infested!” a reference to the original title.

Overall, the effects work very well to have such quick and powerful creatures, causing chaos working to invade people’s bodies then burst back just in Alien [1979]. One can’t overlook the bloody mayhem that occurs inside the main cabin near the end of the film as the invasion of ticks spread wildly, the acting is what one exactly expects from a b-movie production like this, sometime actors overplay their character’s portrayal and the script contains major logic flaws, then again no one is watching this movie for the cinematic wonderment.

The conclusion of the film has a full good glory of gore, with true body horror making a major appearance, that’s what the core cult fans of the film really desire. Otherwise, this tiny creature could deliver heebie-jeebies but not much more for the fans to thoroughly enjoy, thanks to the absurdity of characters and goofiness of the scenes presented on the screen. Therefore, indulge your monster need or craving, see some joyous deformations occur on and under the body as you await the spewing tick magnet that seeks more blood for entertainment pleasure.

TAGLINES:

• It’s not nice to mess with mother nature.
• Something hungry is about to hatch.
• They’ll make your skin crawl.
• They breed. They hatch. They kill.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108339/

IMDb Rating: 5.4/10

Baron’s Rating 5.0/10