Future animals

If the ozone layer vanished,many scientists have theories about how this would effect life on Earth. I guarantee that none of these theories comes close to the one put forth by this movie. Turns out that when the ozone goes, all the animals on the planet go ICKY-BINGO and band together to wipe humanity off the face of the planet. It's not really dynamic but it is fun watching cougars running through Denver's suburbs scaring crossing guards, mailmen and dogs out of 10 years growth. The best part though, is when crazed hiker Leslie Neilsen goes kamikazee against a murderous grizzly bear. He actually tries to bite the beasts ear off! Needless to say this is a very short,but entertaining scene. There is also an attempt at drama and inter-personal tension, but luckily the creators never try too hard with that part of the film

DAY OF THE ANIMALS is Director William Girdler's take on the "nature's revenge" film.

Trail guide, Steve Buckner (Christopher George) takes a group of city folks up into the mountains, unaware that something strange has taken place. It seems that mankind has depleted the ozone layer with their aerosol sprays, causing the wildlife to go berserk.

Now, Buckner and company find themselves up against an onslaught from land, stream, and air! This generally consists of shots of creatures looking bemused.

Meanwhile, hiker, Paul Jensen (Leslie Nielsen) begins acting like a total jackass, and native American, Daniel Santee (Michael Ansara) gives wise advice and looks warily into the forest. Professor Macgregor (Richard Jaeckel) takes pictures, and TV news personality, Terry Marsh (Lynda Day George) appears concerned. Unsurprisingly, the hellishness factor increases exponentially, while Jensen becomes an even bigger jerk, and the humans are put on the endangered species list!

DOTA is as enjoyable as it is absurd. It also boasts some superb shots of the natural surroundings, and tons of cool critters! So, if you love the great outdoors, or simply believe that mankind has ruled the Earth long enough, this movie will satisfy!

BEST BITS: #1- The flying rat attack! #2- Jensen shedding his shirt and coming completely unglued, going bare-chested like an eeevil Tarzan!

Indeed, this could be our future...

This is a real cool B movie that delivers the goods !!! William Girdler also made the very entertaining GRIZZLY in 1976. The cast do a good job and the direction is solid. Leslie Nielsen put in a good strong performance as an unhinged kinda guy and once again , poor Susan Backlinie does sterling stuntwork as the victim of wolves and vultures (the vulture attack sequence is the highlight of the movie and splendidly done. The score by Lalo Schifrin is creepy and atmospheric and adds a neat touch to the overall "feel" of the film. I am lucky enough to own the original Warners UK video release and would love to get hold of the R1 DVD.

This was better than GRIZZLY in showing off some horrifying images of assorted wild animals hungry over human prey. On a horror level, only a slight bit of feeling. It still compares to WILD AMERICA because there's hardly anything here that best distinguishes between an evil monster or just a typical ol' wild animal. Sure it's violent, but that's nature as God intended. I can't understand why the movie heads for the wrong direction, thanks to Leslie Nielsen becoming an obnoxious freak. Even the end provides no clearer definition based on the goofy plot it has. Better head for the zoo.

The earth's diminishing ozone layer is affecting the animal life in a very negative way and a few hikers are in real trouble.

Well, after reading countless reviews here and elsewhere stating that the animal attacks are laughable, I find myself in the minority group that actually was quite impressed at how the filmmakers managed to pull them off. They don't occupy much of the screen time but when they happen; well, I was impressed. Bear in mind that this is a low-budget feature film from a specialized B-movie filmmaker who used his wits and drive instead of money. As such I was very impressed with the end result.

The story here ain't much to write home about. Basically the hikers gradually learn that the animals look extremely mad and before long they're fighting for their lives.

The cast is good, a nice assembly of B-movie actors; Christopher and Linda Day George are always appealing and Leslie Nielsen really chews up the scenery as the crazy ad exec who takes on a giant bear.

The film is stretched and not much happens for quite a while but it's strangely atmospheric in a way and climaxes with some impressive stand-offs against the animals (again, I believe I represent the minority here).

William Girdler was a master copycat filmmaker, taking into account what was captivating to audiences and making a film on that subject while it was still fresh. The diminishing ozone layer was a hot topic in those days and he concocted a really neat little film (which looks much more expensive than it really was with that Panavision framing and impressive cinematography) that entertains without doing too much damage to our brains.