Cowboys vs Dinosaurs

Val: "We round them up like cattle."
Henry: "Cattle that can eat you!"

release year: 2015
genre: western/sci-fi
viewing setting: home streaming 9/11/22

synopsis: A mining operation unearths a large number of hungry dinosaurs, which proceed to wreak havoc in a small midwestern town.

impressions: It actually wasnt that bad - sure, the plot was loopy at times, and the CGI occasionally imperfect - but it was entertaining and corny. There were (mostly) raptors, and also a couple of acid-spitting smaller dinosaurs, a random Triceratops, and of course a big T-Rex. Actually, I know why the Triceratops was there - it gave the main character a chance to ride a bucking dinosaur. Anyhow, the dinosaurs quickly took over the town and the human survivors' number began to dwindle. But it was fun...I mean, where else can you watch a chase with ATVs, a horse and rider, a T-Rex, and a bunch of raptors? And there were also some notable actors in minor roles.

confirmed body count: 29 humans, more than a dozen raptors, 2 other small dinosaurs, 1 T-Rex

acting: Rib Hillis (who's appeared in other, similar movies of this sort) is the main cowboy. Sara Malakul Lane is a young corporate hotshot. Eric Roberts plays the main hero's drunken father, one of the few characters who's actually interesting. Ditto for Vernon Wells (a long way from his red mohawk biker days in The Road Warrior) as the evil corporate boss. John Freeman is the asshole sheriff. Kelcey Watson really steals the show as the leader of the initially-lost digger crew who wants to get even, and has a small arsenal at his house. He's funny and cool and brings a lot to this movie.

final word: Reasonably entertaining dinosaur cheese.

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