Eight Legged Freaks -- PG-13
Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer
Directed by: Ellory Elkayem
Showing: Showplace East 11
Eight Legged Freaks" harkens back to the tacky sci-fi flicks of the '50s (most of which involved insect mutations and human mutilations i.e. "Them!"), and in that respect it delivers. For once there's a film that's exactly what it purports to be… a needlessly entertaining schlock-fest featuring ham-fisted acting, funny death scenes, less funny dialogue, good lookin' babes and big-ass spiders. If any of the aforementioned traits interest you, go see "Eight Legged Freaks," if not, go catch "Juwanna Man" again.
"Freaks" takes place in the ironically named Prosperity, Ariz., a town on the brink of bankruptcy, where a barrel of toxic sludge has fallen into a pond that's a feeding ground for crickets. After devouring the waste, said insects are fed to spiders owned by local weirdo Joshua (an unbilled Tom Noonan -- best known for his work as the serial killer in "Manhunter"). It doesn't take a genius to tell you what's going to happen next -- the spiders bulk up to Volkswagen-sized proportions and wreak havoc upon Prosperity's dim-witted denizens.
Characters such as Chris McCormack (David Arquette), the town's oft-seen former mischief-maker and his former flame, Sam Parker (Kari Wuhrer), a sexy lady cop, are extraneous to the flick's goals, serving as nothing more than a possible entrée. Viewers going into "Eight Legged Freaks" expecting a mindless hour and a half of entertainment will be rewarded. First time feature director Ellory Elkayem deftly blends humor and horror culminating in an inspired chase sequence involving jumping spiders and dirt biking teens.
"Eight Legged Freaks" is cut from a mold similar to that of "Gremlins" or "Tremors" and while not as funny or frightening as either of those flicks, it's still a mildly entertaining diversion. It's a film worthy of a matinee admission, beer-laden video rental, or in a perfect world, a double drive-in feature playing alongside either "Reign of Fire" or "Halloween: Resurrection." If at all possible, grab a date and a bottle of wine, head out to the drive-in and "Eight Legged Freaks" will provide the cheese.
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