Lively, entertaining reviews of, and essays on, old and newer films and everything relating to them, written by professional author William Schoell.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

ANACONDAS: TRAIL OF BLOOD


ANACONDAS: TRAIL OF BLOOD (aka: Anaconda 4/2009 Telefilm). Director: Don E. FauntLeRoy.

A man named Murdock (John Rhys-Davies) hires some men to bring him back a serum derived from a "blood orchid" and to essentially kill off anyone who gets in their way or who knows too much. Adding to the problem is a very big anaconda that snacks on humans, moves very swiftly, and who has apparently grown large due to consuming the serum. The FX work is uneven. At times the snake is a shuddery horror; at other times it's about as convincing as an image in a computer game. In any case, it creates a certain spooky frisson as it swishes silently and at great speed through tall grass on its way to its next meal. Aside from Rhys-Davies, Linden Ashby (Melrose Place, The Young and the Restless) is the best-known actor. He and the rest of the cast acquit themselves nicely, and the pace is fast. Some of the action and attack scenes are well-choreographed as well. You've seen it all before, of course, but it's fun for devotees. Shown on the Sci Fi Channel, of course.

Verdict: More snakes in the grass. **1/2.

No comments: