Eight-Legged Freaks

release year: 2002
genre: intentionally campy horror/action
viewing setting: home DVD, 12/2/02

synopsis: In a small town in the middle of nowhere, spiders eat toxic waste and grow, then go forth to feed.

impressions: This is goofball '50s-style monster madness at its best. There is very little gore to be found here, it's just an old-fashioned monster movie. Scattered throughout are all kinds of little funny bits, several of which made me laugh out loud. The acting is just serious enough to keep the movie going, ditto for the plot. Different species of spiders and varied humans (and spider-fighting weapons) keep the mix interesting. If you just want to have a good time, and are capable of enjoying things like a chainsaw-wielding guy in a hockey mask facing off against a giant spider, you can't go wrong with this movie.

things to watch for: The motorcycle chase in the desert was fairly entertaining.

acting: David Arquette is his usual goofy self as a guy who picks the wrong week to return to his hometown. Kari Wuhrer is good eye candy (and a decent actress when she tries) as the town sheriff. The paranoid DJ guy was funnier than I thought he'd be.

final word: Worth seeing for a corny good time.

back to the main review page