Creature (2011)

Dir: Fred Andrews - Feature film directorial debut
Cast: Dillon Casey, Lauren Schneider, Mehcad Brookes, Serinda Swan, Amanda Fuller, Aaron Hill, Daniel Bernhardt, Sid Haig
USA, 2011

Reason to see: Been on quite the monster movie kick recently

Creature follows a group of friends travelling though Louisiana to New Orleans, who stumble on a local legend of the monster Lockjaw and get suckered into checking it out. The story of Lockjaw is creepy enough for the basis of a film, setting the story in a great legend and allowing for enough mystery to keep things intriguing while still jumping though most of the regular monster movie hoops of the back story, creeping hillbilly locals, and random opportunities for the cast to take off their clothes. Oddly, the story was solid but it was the characters that I found to be all over the place, so much so that when a brother or sister is mentioned, it’s totally confusing. There is a sibling set? Somewhere in this bunch of 3 couples? Who is it? It was only through the process of brutal elimination throughout the film did it become clear who was brother/sister. That was quite distracting and even worse, I hate to say it, but it actually was relevant and important.

The story managed to suprize me on the rare occasion and as did Mehcad Brookes performance as Niles (Eggs from 'True Blood'), whose acting & physicality really stood out and brought something special to the film. It hits a lot of the marks people expect in a higher-rated monster films, from creative gore to nudity, creepy ideas & imagery, characters you are rooting for and ones to laugh at, and the stand-by of women in peril. It meets a lot of the marks, but it missed a few as well, and unfortunately one of the marks is unforgivable to miss. As much as I don't want to push that films should have formulas, it’s clear that there is certain an expectation with monster movies and if you don’t deliver that expectation (or a creative alternative), people feel cheated. And unfortunately that’s exactly how I can imagine people will feel here.

If all your looking for is a creepy story, some nudity, characters to laugh at and a monster, then Creature might be enough to keep your attention. But I found that even by monster movie standards it didn’t offer much more than that. I wished it had pushed the camp side a little more and really needed to go for the formula follow through. But, if you are looking for counter programming this weekend in contrast to TIFF's opening, this low brow monster marshness is easily the movie to pick.

Creature opens in Canada on Friday September 9, 2011.

Warnings: Torture

Shannon's Overall View:
I didn't love it
I'd not likely watch it again
I'd recommend it only for low brow B-movie fans

Also see: All 2011 Films Reviewed and All Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011