When it comes to the subgenre of animal attack films there are plenty to examine and a few which are highly enjoyable, some of them have the ferocious beasts and others are so tiny they own the creepy ‘it’ factor to give one the heebie-jeebies. Every decade since the 60s has at least one and almost every species has made their screen appearance, however one species which pictures clearly show as icky has yet to achieve that sensationalism on screen. The primary mammal is Chiroptera also known as Bats, this charming fellow, a cute little nose, and nice fangs:
This star is nothing like his fictious cousin Dracula or other human formed vampires his species’ is unable to deliver the ultimate unnerving thrill ride as if your shrieking delights. Just recalling a few titles show their persist to obtain that glory: Chosen Survivors [1974], Nightwing [1979], Fangs [2005], The Roost [2005], and Vampire Bats [2005] – the only thing not attempted yet is 3D. Bats is an early work of screenwriter John Logan (Alien: Covenant (2017)) whose career would soar to the heights with Gladiator (2000) and The Last Samurai (2003), earning praise over a few duds, and while his script helps move along a newer cliché in monster movies with appreciation for realistic biological approach, and has erroneously been attributed to inventing the genetic tinkering, ever hear of Piranha [1978]? While Logan’s script was originally conformed to be an R-rated project, entitled Blood Moon, it was toned down to obtain the PG-13 for better profitability. Director Louis Morneau (Werewolf: The Beast Among Us [2012])) stepped up to take a $5-million budget project, the first released by Destination Films, and made it in a tad over 5-months earning a top-five for the fastest from script to screen in a wide release, earning a mere $10-million against plenty of negative reviews. Nevertheless, the film went on earning $30-million in all other media sales. Ensuring a sequel was made for direct to DVD known as Bats: Human Harvest [2007].
Sheriff Emmett Kimsey (Lou Diamond Phillips (First Power [1990])) in the small town of Gallup, Texas who is stumped about the killer, which ravaged two teens, although clearly not human. Meanwhile, CDC specialist Dr. Tobe Hodge (Carlos Jacott (White Noise [2022])) calls Dr. Sheila Casper (Dina Meyer (Saw [2004])) a chiropterologist to consult while her assistant Jimmy Sands (Leon (Sole Survivor [1984])), who acts more as a comical relief. Due to the vicious remains of one of the victims Dr. Swanbeck Oscar Rowland (Silent Night, Deadly Night [1984])) needed to excuse himself, while Casper examines the remains and discovers the culprit, Bats. However, no ordinary Bats, they are enhanced by their creator Dr Alexander McCabe (Bob Gunton (Dead Silence [2007])) who reveals he made them, this opens a subplot which is never fully explained, about a secret conspiracy of military industry experiments. He acts as the stereotypical mad scientist who confesses “I’m a scientist that is what I do” regarding the vicious bats.
Leon, Dina Meyer and Lou Diamond Phillips
After a failed capture of one the bats that resulted in a massive attack which might freak a few viewers although not the more seasoned horror fans. Shortly later the sheriff contacts Mayor Branson (Marcia Dangerfield (The Boogens [198])) to warn the townsfolks of the impending doom, but no one listens, perhaps many are watching Nosferatu [1922] at the local movie theater. Needless to say, the largest massacre in the movie occurs when the bats descend in an attack, although there isn’t much bloodshed. As the national guard is ordered to remove everyone the core team makes a strange defense at a fortified shelter complete with electrified fences against the windows; in an effort to locate the roost. They triangulate their vicious homebase an old abandoned mine, and Shelia’s expertise to lower the temperature and kill the bats; therefore, Jimmy orders NGIC Industrial Coolant (completely fictionized) because under 45°, but the military misplays their operations resulting in a slaughter by the bats, and Plan B has a countdown, noting ‘B’ stands for bombing. Shelia knows that is a foolish endeavor it will only scatter them, to spread their lethal aggression across the nation with more roosts.
Carlos Jacott
While the CGI delivers a solid production value especially of mass attacks, their up-close presentation alludes to the creep factor of their extravagated faces and their movements while not realistic, one could dismiss it as twisted genetics. Speaking of bats, in some situations 15-pupeteers were used to make more manipulations, while the special effects team used a Paraguaná Moustached Bat which is often located in Jacuque cave of Paraguaná, Venezuela for based inspiration. A larger problem existed with parts of the script which sometimes appeared cobbled together, likely due that insistence to dial down the gore and horror aspects and hence develops a few too many clichés. Nevertheless, Morneau does his best with solid cinematography stills to capture wonderful scenic shots to layer between other lesser scenes that have collapsed the entire movie. He successfully incorporated tension with ‘the mine’ exceptional shots and adhered to the rule when all else fails to blow shit up for entertainment’s sake. As for the two primary leads Dina suffers from chiroptophobia and makes one wonder why she ever decided to take on the role, but fear extended to the crafty evil puppets created by K.N.B. EFX; while Lou tries for a sheriff role, he seems to lack the ruggers for the backdrop town life. One last insulting characteristic, involving Jimmy, who’s traits are that he’s scared of bats yet is assistant to someone who studies them; feels it harkens back to the trope of certain people being stereotypically scared of frightening situations.
Morneau delivers numerous sweeping attacks, never hiding the principal characters, understanding, and respecting it’s to be a solid b-movie filled entertainment values, which continues its ever-present viewing on several streaming sites. Therefore, expect the campy dialogue, some goofy character traits, typical supporting comical individual, and heavy special effects dosage as well as the customary digital post-production shot the Bats crossing in front of a bright white full moon. Just sit back and turn off the brain for 90-minutes.
TAGLINES:
- Fear Takes Flight
- Where can you hide?
- You’re their inflight snack
- Where do you hide when the dark is alive?
- Out of hell.
- They Will Suck You Dry!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200469/
IMDb Rating: 3.9/10
Baron’s Rating: 4.0/10