When it comes to nature-attack movies the sea kingdom is a great place to start, thanks to Jaws [1975] the menacing factors have increased exponentially, from Tentacles [1977], Orca [1977] (Killer Whales), to Piranha [1978] and then endless barrage of Shark flicks. Hence when a snakehead fish incident which occurred in Crofton, Maryland and the media assisted making it end-of-the-world storyline/headline concerning a fish to wipeout whole eco-systems, the b-movie filmmakers were following close behind to capitalize on the fears. The first was Snakehead Terror [2004] an action-adventure with a tinge of horror, from director Mark Dippe, who used Baldwin County, Alabama for the backdrop of his terrorizing fish tale, written by Scott Clevenger and Simon Barrett (Red Sands [2009]). While listed as a television movie, and that it was first acquired by the Sci-fi Channel (notice the named before the rebranding as SyFy) it does have an R-Rated version, which is I saw, as it contains more gore and a brief bit of T&A. In addition, the titling wouldn’t directly be referenced in the film, though one will be able to surmise that plays off of Frankenstein [1931] and genetic engineering.
The story takes place in a swamp near Otley, Louisiana (although we see Bunkhead Tunnel which is in Alabama), as the opening roll John Crankton (Eugene Collier), a fisherman, is pulling up his traps and is quickly pulled under by an unknown animal. We next meet a medical examiner named Sam Rivers (Tory Kittles), who is ordered by the Chief to head to this small town that seems to keep a partial body on ice in a tote at Argiros Store and Deli (um okay). The next day needing further investigation and hence introduced to Mary Callahan (China Chow), a biologist with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, it’s clear Sam is very comfortable in the surroundings while Mary isn’t one of the first locals, they meet is Elmer who leads them to houseboat community. There we have quick series of introductions from the hunter-Vietnam vet Ricardo (Raoul Max Trujillo) to nudist loving couple Bobbi (Noelle Evans) and Roland (Richard Edson), and the John’s Wife Gloria (Donna Biscoe (Conjurer [2008])), a voodoo queen as well as her daughter Eliza (K.D. Aubert (2016 [2017])) and finally her jerk of a boyfriend Dan (Matthew Rauch), lawyer. It’s here, more of the mystery surrounding John’s death is revealed that a strange vessel is further up the river stranded there by Hurricane Garrick, ever since strange things are happening. Hence, Elmer assists Sam and Mary on their journey they discover a mutilated crew upon the small boat and in a panic, Mark knocks Elmer (Muse Watson (The Dead Ones [2019])) overboard, something beneath the surface drags him down; meanwhile the unknowingly triggered a homing signal. As these two flee the story cuts to Anton (Reggie Lee (Drag Me To Hell [2009])) informing his boss, an egomaniacal hunter Jeff (Tomas Arana (The Church [1989]) who is having relations with Buttercup who’s coming to hunt down his prized surprise. Meanwhile back at the houseboat camp, instead of fleeing they discuss territorial hunting of this monster and sit down for an extremely sluggish meal. These two scenes both drag the story into a dullish lull, with Dan stating, “this is ridiculous” (just what the audience is thinking); we learn of the hint of Mary’s love interest and suggestion Eliza. Then Roland hears sounds emitting from beneath his home and upon his leaning over investigation he’s decapitated. This killing quickly spirals the action upward and we see our first Frankenfish, and Bobbi is the next that is devoured.
Ricardo manages to eliminate one as he sees it can breathe on land too, it’s a short-lived victory, soon enough the beasts begin to knock apart the remaining homes causing them to slowly sink, and we lose another cast member. Mary, is dispatched not by the creature but a misfiring of a shotgun blast to the left side of her head; a long suppressed trope, heightened by the direction to acknowledge the evilness in her. In the third act, we have our three remaining cast mates meet up with Jeff, and his other henchman Ben (Mark Boone Junior (Dead Birds [2004])) on an airboat. It quickly becomes obvious who is not going to make to the end and if the beastie shall conquer the waterway in a bloody fashion.
First, the cheesy b-movie effects are fun and entertaining along with a good amount gore, bloodshed, especially the final killing, a splattering good time. The cast is one-dimensional, lacking in personal details and once their dispatch their contributions and cares are forgotten unless it was important to the film, namely John. Mary for example is merely presented for fodder, her status with wildlife adds nothing to movie, like others she’s a notch for the body count tally. As for the Voodoo aspect is also not explored to any depths except to hint for a love potion tea for Sam, and a nod to a white devil. In addition, it leads to another issue that is never explained how the snakehead is genetically altered and why, their size and weight could never fit the vessel while it is after thought to many the creature lack a plausible basis. One should note that character name Joseph is not mentioned in the film rather the name Ben is used which is another strange element in the film, want more – a bit of trivia the actress who portrayed Jeff’s girlfriend, ‘Buttercup’ does not appear in the cast credits nor does anyone seem to know who portrays her.
Let’s begin with a positive point for this creature feature, the Snakeheads, with a combination of three techniques, obviously first was CGI, then some animatronics and finally a bit of puppetry which has a refreshing outlook for the film. The flick does prove some fun entertainment, though loaded with numerous clichés, there’s a tad too much padding, which could’ve had been traded for more killing and a faster telling of the tale. Finally, the ending allows for a sequel and in doing so mirrors a kill scene that occurs in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) with both the character and trope for Dieter. If you keep your expectations grounded then this film is worth a one and done viewing.
TAGLINES:
- Welcome to the bottom of the food chain.
- The evolution of evil.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384833/
IMDb Rating: 4.7/10
Baron’s Rating: 4.5/10