I like horror films, but am not fan of the latest slew that are either remakes of much better films from 20, 30 years ago, or these ultra-violent escapades whose only attraction seems to be endless body counts and coming up with extremely violent and gory ways to slaughter people. I know these films have a following, but I've had no interest in sitting through them.
So it was with tremendous apprehension that I rented "Slither." Two reasons I got it - I vaguely recall reading a critic who said it was funny and I am an Elizabeth Banks fan. Loved her as Betty Brant in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" films, "Baxter" (2005) and "Heights" (2004). I even rented "Sexual Life" (2005) because she was in it.
What a refreshing surprise "Slither" turned out to be. Writer-director James Gunn knows he's essentially making "Invasion of the Body Snatchers Meets Night of the Living Dead" and he has tremendous fun with that premise. Thing is, Gunn never treats his film seriously, but all his characters do, which is what makes comedy work. The reason we laugh so heartily at all those "The Naked Gun" movies is because Frank Drebin and Co. take what they're doing completely seriously. No one's laughing at their own jokes.
That's why "Slither" works so well, too. The writing is snappy, funny; at times, it's downright hilarious. The film's constantly lively, hugely entertaining, never boring and surprisingly quick-witted. I watched the film alone and found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The measure of a good comedy is when you can do that.
"Slither" never hides the fact that it's a low-budget horror. But the actors are all game and, although Gunn is working with archetypes of the genre, he throws in plenty of freshness and originality to keep propelling his movie forward.
Gunn clearly is a big fan of horror movies. More than that, he loves them. It's obvious. And he pours all that love and respect into this film. There's really nothing surprising in this plot, but it's the journey that makes "Slither" worthwhile.
Of course, there are better horror films than "Slither." But occasionally it's good to sit back and enjoy a film for what it is. It's good to be able to laugh at something silly, but not stupid. There are scenes here that are hysterically funny. Starla's (Banks) recounting of her marriage vows in the middle of a field still makes me laugh.
Let me put it this way. After watching "Slither," the first thought that popped to mind was that I needed to add the DVD to my collection. "Slither" is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.
So it was with tremendous apprehension that I rented "Slither." Two reasons I got it - I vaguely recall reading a critic who said it was funny and I am an Elizabeth Banks fan. Loved her as Betty Brant in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" films, "Baxter" (2005) and "Heights" (2004). I even rented "Sexual Life" (2005) because she was in it.
What a refreshing surprise "Slither" turned out to be. Writer-director James Gunn knows he's essentially making "Invasion of the Body Snatchers Meets Night of the Living Dead" and he has tremendous fun with that premise. Thing is, Gunn never treats his film seriously, but all his characters do, which is what makes comedy work. The reason we laugh so heartily at all those "The Naked Gun" movies is because Frank Drebin and Co. take what they're doing completely seriously. No one's laughing at their own jokes.
That's why "Slither" works so well, too. The writing is snappy, funny; at times, it's downright hilarious. The film's constantly lively, hugely entertaining, never boring and surprisingly quick-witted. I watched the film alone and found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The measure of a good comedy is when you can do that.
"Slither" never hides the fact that it's a low-budget horror. But the actors are all game and, although Gunn is working with archetypes of the genre, he throws in plenty of freshness and originality to keep propelling his movie forward.
Gunn clearly is a big fan of horror movies. More than that, he loves them. It's obvious. And he pours all that love and respect into this film. There's really nothing surprising in this plot, but it's the journey that makes "Slither" worthwhile.
Of course, there are better horror films than "Slither." But occasionally it's good to sit back and enjoy a film for what it is. It's good to be able to laugh at something silly, but not stupid. There are scenes here that are hysterically funny. Starla's (Banks) recounting of her marriage vows in the middle of a field still makes me laugh.
Let me put it this way. After watching "Slither," the first thought that popped to mind was that I needed to add the DVD to my collection. "Slither" is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.