“Return of the Killer Shrews”
#24 of the 31 days of horror challenge. (These reviews will be more raw due to the nature of the challenge.)
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After more than 50 years, Thorn Sherman returns to the island where he battled killer shrews. He takes a TV producer to join the crew filming a reality wildlife show to the island, only to find that the killer shrews are thriving, due to the machinations of his old nemesis.
There is no doubt that the filmmakers intended this to turn out exactly as it did. The cheesy dialogue to the bad CGI and bad effects to the quirky in-jokes. The writers were able to successfully revisit the spirit of the original film while updating it, if, of course, you suspend your disbelief about a few things.
The cast was a wonderful mix of seasoned talent and new faces. The coup de gras is having James Best not only return as our hero, Thorne Sherman, but he also helped write and produce the film. You get the long time camaraderie between Best and former co-stars Rick Hurst, as Harold Rook, Sherman’s first mate, and John Schneider, as Johnny Reno, reality television star. An uncredited part as Derek the intern, by Sean Flynn, Eroll Flynn’s grandson. Bruce Davidson does a great job of reinventing the roll of Jerry Ferrell, Thorne Sherman’s nemesis. Jason-Shane Scott brings production manager Sam some seriousness and depth along with comedic timing.
I gave this 4 fru fru drinks because this film is exactly what the film makers intended.
You nailed it. I saw both films back to back originally and that’s exactly what they were going for. From the dialogue, CGI, obvious over-characterization, and plot they were after a return to the original cheese.