Basilisco: A Serpente do Mal

As a veteran aficionado of the SciFi originals, I had my usual expectations going into "Basilisk". Laughable special effects, transparent characters and formulaic situations clumsily stumbled into by unwitting victims of the CGI beast-du-jour; all comprising a solidly entertaining and heartily enjoyable experience. While "Basilisk" dutifully fulfilled many of my preconceptions, I have to say that it was a cut well above the standard Saturday night fare.

This creature flick can rightfully take its place among such greats as "Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy" (Jeffery Combs can't make a bad movie), "Frankenfish" and many of the other SciFi offerings but I have to put "Basilisk" into its own category all together. The effects are of the same caliber as its worthy cousins, but I think that what lifts this one for me is the script. It is witty without being contrived and never leaves a slow moment or the feeling of awkwardness that comes with so many screenplays that try too hard to be hip (see: Lucky Number Slevin. Actually, don't see it, it's terrible). Cleavant Derricks does an outstanding job as the weekend warrior Colonel and his bantering exchanges with Jeremy London are the stuff of high theatrical art.

So all in all, this one is not to be missed. Next time SciFi decides to air it, set the TiVo and prepare to be entertained. You will not be sorry.

Another B-movie effort from Sci Fi Pictures, shot in Bulgaria on the cheap and featuring cult favourite (?) Jason London in the lead alongside Yancy Butler (HARD TARGET) as a baddie for a change. This one sees an archaeologist bringing back a basilisk statue from the Middle East, but it shortly revives and goes on the rampage in a museum. Plenty of cheesy action and death ensue, and it's all completely ridiculous, mannered and over the top. But at least it's not boring.

Basilisk wasn't as bad as some of the other Saturday night Sci-fi Channel offerings. The majority of the budget was obviously spent on CGs. While there were scenes where the CG effects weren't great, there were others that it was.

My big complaint about these movies are little details. These movies are filmed in Eastern Europe, where the buck can be stretched further than in the states. That's fine, but at least if you're depicting the U.S. military, use American-issued weapons, not weapons fixed to look like them. Would it be too hard to scrounge up some decent-looking M-16s?

A long time ago in 112 A.D. Cyrenaica, during an eclipse, a giant snake-like creature wakes up and attacks a group of men. This is "Basilisk: The Serpent King" and he is angry. Basilisk spits out a long stream of white stuff, which turns people into stone. Two thousand years later, in present day Libya, a team of archaeologists led by steadfast Jeremy London (as Harrison "Harry" McColl) dig around in the same area. Watch out! They discover some artifacts which will lead to the return of Basilisk, but not quite yet...

Two months later, in Pueblo Springs, Colorado, Mr. London meets attractive blonde archaeologist Wendy Carter (as Rachel Donegal). He really digs her, even with sexy Yancy Butler (as Hannah) hanging out. They are at an archaeological event during an eclipse when, like the first one, Basilisk wakes up. This time, he seems even angrier. And, with good reason. According to geeky scientist Griff Furst (as Rudy), "Basilisk: The Serpent King" is pregnant. If the snake king isn't destroyed, there will be 18-20 more...

Yikes!

*** Basilisk: The Serpent King (11/25/06) Stephen Furst ~ Jeremy London, Wendy Carter, Griff Furst, Yancy Butler

When I stumbled upon this 2006 TV movie in 2021, I must admit that I wasn't really harboring much of any great expectations as the movie had that particular SyFy or The Asylum aura to it. But still, I hadn't already seen the movie, and the basilisk is an interesting mythological creature, so of course I sat down to watch it.

Writers Will McCarthy and Chase Parker actually managed to churn out a storyline and script that was actually wholesome enough and provided me with sufficient entertainment. Sure, this wasn't a great nor top of the line creature feature, but it proved to be enjoyable and entertaining enough for what it was.

Visually then "Basilisk: The Serpent King" was adequate. The CGI used to bring the basilisk alive was okay for the most of the movie, which definitely helped to make the movie watchable. However, you should not be expecting to be in for a grand spectacle of impressive CGI effects here.

The movie does have an okay enough cast ensemble. I think Jeremy London is actually a fair actor and he does carry "Basilisk: The Serpent King" quite well with his performance. And he was joined by the likes of Griff Furst and Yancy Butler.

"Basilisk: The Serpent King" provides sufficient entertainment for a single viewing. However, this is hardly a movie that you will be watching more than just once.

My rating of the 2006 TV movie "Basilisk: The Serpent King" lands on a five out of ten stars.