Tremors: Shrieker Island

Well, well, well... With this 2020 "Tremors: Shrieker Island" installment to the "Tremors" franchise, I must say that the series is definitely starting to get back on track after some less than overly interesting additions.

I found "Tremors: Shrieker Island" to be a rather enjoyable movie and a very nice addition to the franchise. Sort of a much needed addition to the franchise actually, to spice it up and make it great.

The storyline in "Tremors: Shrieker Island" is pretty straight forward, even for a "Tremors" movie. So you know what you are getting yourself into here, for better or worse. Well, at least that was the truth up to the surprise ending, which I hadn't foreseen. Of course I am not going to ruin anything here by spoiling the event, but it is something that you just have to watch if you have been enjoying one or more of the previous six "Tremor" movies.

The special effects in "Tremors: Shrieker Island" were good, and I really enjoy the way that the Graboids are look and have evolved. That is definitely some interesting thinking from writers Brian Brightly and Don Michael Paul. And again, that evolution just feels very natural to this particular franchise, as the Graboids have been evolving all the way throughout the series.

"Tremors: Shrieker Island" differs as in the movie plays out on a remote island that is set up to stage some specialized trophy hunting, like it or not. I found it to be an interesting spin on the story. And I definitely enjoyed how director Don Michael Paul managed to squeeze in a very distinct "Jurassic Park" and "Predator" feel to this 2020 "Tremors: Shrieker Island" movie. At one point I was actually convinced that they put in a predator, given the setting, the environment, the heat vision thermal sights and the sounds that they used.

As for the movie's cast ensemble, well it was - needless to say - a thriller to have Michael Gross return to reprise the role of the iconic Burt Gummer character. And I was especially thrilled to see Richard Brake in the movie, he was just perfectly cast for his role, and he delivered a rather good performance. Initially I was a bit skeptic of having Jon Heder in the movie, but he actually surprised me with his performance, as it was good and actually complimented Michael Gross's performance quite well, I had feared that he would fluke out like Jamie Kennedy did in the 2018 "Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell".

Visually then "Tremors: Shrieker Island" delivered, and if you are a fan of the franchise, then you will most definitely enjoy what you are presented with in this 2020 movie. It was just pure eye-candy for us fans of the franchise.

The ending of the movie, take it or leave it as you will, sort of have me conflicted. Was it a good way to end the movie? Personally I didn't really find that ending enjoyable, but I guess it had to come sooner or later. The big question is then, does it put a stop to the "Tremors" franchise in the future? I certainly hope not, because the movies, campy and cheesy as they may be, are actually wholesome entertaining.

My rating of "Tremors: Shrieker Island" is a six out of ten stars. This one is definitely a franchise fan pleaser and a step in the right direction for the franchise - in my opionion. "Tremors: Shrieker Island" is well worth the time, money and effort. So watch it.

Tourists are hunting super Graboids on a tropical island led by arrogant leader Bill Davidson. Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) is now a retired beachcomber living off the grid. He's out, but Jimmy (Jon Heder) convinces him to get back in.

I like the location. It gives me Jurassic Park vibes with a dose of Survivor. The movie does not always use it correctly. It has moments of good horror, but mostly it looks cheap. The camp isn't much other than Gross. The only interesting character is Gummer. I had hoped for better from Heder, but he has not developed as an actor. The flamethrowers are fun and there are lots of explosions. In the end, this is only occasionally interesting.

The movie begins well and story looks quite interesting. The CGI is quite good. And actors are decent too. The concept of rich playboy harvesting and using Gabaroids as sports hunting is interesting. However, the director fails to develop the story. There is lack of good screenplay. The movie proceeds in jerky way. And it starts looking like director just wants to get rid of the characters as he has got too many of them and has no idea how to get them killed. So the sequences look very forced and silly. Still movie is quiet fast paced and watchable and provides good sequel for Tremors fans.

^ That pretty much sums up the entire movie. Entertaining and great escapist fun.

The first Tremors movie was a gem. A campy and fun monster movie with quirky characters, I used to watch it every time I saw it on TV and my wife was not around. Just because of that one film I watched all the other... seven are they? Anyway, none was actually worth watching, including this possibly last one. Everything is cardboard and the monsters aren't even scary. One could have created a world terrorized by graboids, expanded it with high budgets and top actors, made it a cinematic universe and cross it over with Underworld, Piranhas, The Meg or even Sharknado. It would have still been stupid, but at least enjoyable. The first Tremors movie was a gem, the rest are the mud.