The Dustwalker

This is a small film, but it is still engaging. Reminded me of The Crazies but only set in a small Australian town and the source of the madness appears to be alien in origin. This has resemblance to a zombie film but more of 28 Days Later than Romero. Different, not a "great" film, but yet I found the main characters engaging. Not original and I predicted the ending fairly fast, but nonetheless I enjoyed watching this.

Just watched a Hulu movie called Dustwalker I'm not entirely sure why. At first it was Lovecraftian psychological horror. (Look at the image art on the movie poster and dvd cover for reference to why I thought it'd be more Cthulhu-related.) Then the 10 minute mark hit and the plot got thrown out the window. Too many plot devices that were never explained and left unanswered for the duration. The first one was that town's only cell tower is down...which we find out because the tech pulls out his cell phone and calls A friend in town...who answers /on her cell phone/. This isn't even a spoiler since /NEVER COMES UP AGAIN/. Also, I HATED the ending. I'll spoil that below. Spoilers start here:: I have a few questions: 1. Why is the movie called Dustwalker? The creature never goes near the dust storm (which itself is a one-and-done plot device that never gets explained. The thing goes underground as it's primary mode of transportation. 2. How the hell does the ALIEN speak and understand English within a couple hours after arriving on earth? 3. Can we talk about how the creature is half scorpion, half Resident Evil dog thing, but Is also a centaur? 4. The ending. Ugh. So. The entire movie is spent with survivors running from people gone murder-hobo who exist only to kill all humans and infect them with alien DNA or whatever. Then big bad comes along (the third of 4 times we see the creature), and takes all of the infected people, puts them in a pit and freaking /IMMOLATES THEM/ with its "now I'm a dragon-scorpion-demon-dog-thing" magical fire breath. That's it. The whole premise of the movie sucks so hard that the writer literally figured it'd be easier to just set it alight than try to fill in all of the plot holes.

If you're a fan of really campy, tropey bad films, go find one that doesn't suck and watch that instead. Overall, I give this movie a 2/10 stars, and that's just because I like psych horror (though this one down played the horror aspect.)

It's not the worst movie I've seen by far. I couldn't tell the budget from this movie, but I could tell they spent much more money on special effects rather than directing or the actors. Terrible, overused sound effects. I did like the concept and idea with the monster, but they went down the wrong path with it if I'm honest. Not horrible but also not very good. Acting was fine but directing sucked, also some chase/action scenes had terrible camera direction. Also something minor but that really bugged me was how clear the radios were it was super unrealistic.

The Dustwalker is a basic budget alien thriller from down under. Its limited funding shows from the get go but its not a bad little film.

It has the benefit of a rather unique setting that's suitably isolated, a small Australian outback town that fits in well with the back story. Having actors who actually know how to act helps this film too.

The action such as it is, is a bit mixed. Its a little too slow for my liking and its budgetary restraints stop it from doing anything novel that would have lifted it.

I think with decent money this could have been a winner but as it stands its only "ok".

5/10 from me.

All the potential in the world and THIS is what they come up with? I'm sorry. I love scifi, and horror, spanning back to the 50's and earlier, but this was just a turkey. My first thoughts were, well, the lead actress could not even take her own lines seriously nor be convincing. She'd smile & smirk at really awkward moments that should've been terrifying if it were really happening. The acting was only a small pinch away from bearable... but the momentum and potential really had me buzzed at first. Then I realized, oof.. this is a dud. First of all these are the only interesting people this movie can focus on? It's like... come on there has to be some more interesting people in the town. and don't get me started on the big CGI reveal....Let's just say That could've used a bit more time to cook in the kitchen. Even the sound editing was a complete turkey by the end and prior to that the musical notes were so dragged out it was almost unbearable. haha. This had potential, it really did...and somewhat competent actors. But the production was kind of just doomed from the start. I hate to rag on this derivative mess but right down to the writing it is just undercooked, all of it. Pass. A strong 3 out of 10. But for free on the ScyFy channel this could have it's place somewhere around Sharknado avenue.