Gaining early fame for his direction of Jaws, Steven Spielberg always maintained his favourite Jaws rip-off was 1978’s ‘Piranha’. Filmed on a cheap budget by the King of B Grade films Joe Dante, it charted the havoc caused by some maritime monsters. With dodgy puppetry used to represent the evil Piranhas, it became a notorious cinematic guilty pleasure. Re-made with the wonders of 3D, this new version is just as kitsch with a cavalcade of camp the best line of defence against a swarm of nautical nasties.
When a small underwater earthquake erupts, the citizens of Lake Victoria take little notice until people begin mysteriously vanishing. Thinking something is awry, Sherriff Forester (Elisabeth Shue), her son Jake (Steven R. McQueen) and Seismologist Novak (Adam Scott) learn their assumptions are correct. Discovering a deadly pool of Piranha’s waiting to chomp on unsuspecting swimmers, they use anything to destroy the ghastly beasties in a battle reaching a furious and water-logged crescendo.
Those with a queasy disposition should probably avoid Piranha. This becomes apparent from the first shot as the small terrors from the deep are ferocious in their hunger. Not since Andy Warhol’s ‘Flesh for Frankenstein’ has a 3D horror movie been so grisly with Director Alexandre Aja more than happy to throw body parts straight onto the screen. Saving it from becoming a dull gore-fest is the knowing humour with the actors playing their stoic roles with tongues firmly in cheek.
Piranha’s underwater photography wrings much tension from a well-paced story light on characterisation but heavy on scares. When most of the characters wear skimpy bikinis and seductive smiles you know you’re not watching Macbeth, although it does equal it in body count. As a tribute to Jaws it works very well as most of the tricks it utilises are direct copies of those from that series. Original star Richard Dreyfuss’ cameo adds to this illusion, with its enthusiastic energy echoing his pioneering blockbuster hit.
One can only guess what Spielberg would make of this Piranha reboot. With a silly premise and excursion into bad taste, it pushes its lenient MA rating to its maxim. Although Spielberg would probably smile knowing his break-out film’s dubious influence still looms large over its blood drenched imitators.
Rating out of 10: 6
The Elm Street series was a classic 80’s horror franchise initially directed by spook maestro Wes Craven and starring Robert Englund as child killer Freddy. It spawned six sequels, a TV series and an Elm St/Friday the 13th teaming. The first was the best although the others had their moments with its imaginative concept spinning ever more wildly with each successive film. Now comes the inevitable remake with its roots firmly planted in the first film’s moody darkness.
In the quiet suburb of Springwood, its teenagers are having nightmares. Among them are Elm Street resident Nancy (Rooney Mara) and Quentin (Kyle Gallner). Dreaming of a sinister fedora wearing killer named Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley), their visions become a horrid reality. Tormenting their friends with his evil ways, it’s up to Nancy to discover the hidden secret past of the residents of Springwood. Attempting to prove she has what it takes to defeat the ’son of a thousand maniacs’, she enters the insidious dream master’s realm and potentially her mortal doom.
Fans may probably look upon this remake as cinematic blasphemy. Of the hundreds of modern horror films, Nightmare on Elm Street has been one of the most popular with laughs and thrills effectively combined. Thankfully it doesn’t disgrace its legacy too much as the film-makers closely adhere to the strong concept. Craven’s original idea of people’s fear of nightmares and the lack of control in having them is good and is given some fresh twists here. Especially noticeable is the imaginative flair so crucial in the original is still intact, giving a creative licence to sketch some inventive scenarios.
Whilst it’s initially very strange seeing someone other than Englund portray Freddy, Jackie Earle Haley makes a worthy replacement. More bitter and sinister than before, Haley’s Freddy kills his victims with menacing ferocity. His performance is the highlight in a film sadly lacking overall punch with a ‘watered down’ feel to its violence and lack of characters. Although what’s on display is good, it’s missing any genuine scares to give it the energy which made the others so memorable.
Even if it would have been better to have seen an original horror film, A Nightmare On Elm Street is one of the more passable remakes. If not utilising the concept to its fullest, it does have a great lead in Haley and has potential to build upon for the inevitable sequel. Whether it will define a new decade of horror is another question, although the original versions will always be there to keep a watchful eye on further wicked happenings.
Rating out of 10: 6