La créature des ténèbres

I rented The Dark just to see Neve Campbell in it. I was expecting something that at the least wouldn't make me want my money back. I got even better! The Dark is a very interesting movie about a scientist turned hunter who is determined to find the deadly animal that saved his life two years ago. But he isn't the only one after the miraculous creature who can either heal or kill. A unique movie in a sea of recreations and old movies being revamped. The story is very interesting and the characters have histories and personalities. When you watch it, at least in my case, you end up wishing for more not from disatisfaction but for more goodness. Plus, Neve Campbell looks great as a policewoman!

Police detective Paul Buckner chases a suspect into a graveyard where the suspect is killed by an unknown creature. Gary 'Hunter' Henderson (Stephen McHattie) happens to be visiting a grave at the time and witnesses the event. Two years later, he is determined to hunt down the creature. There are angry bikers, a diner waitress, grave diggers, two local deputies, and detective Buckner.

It's a low grade Canadian horror. I like the underground premise but I don't like cheap monster suit. The most notable is that this is Neve Campbell's film debut in a supporting role as a deputy. The acting is generally fine. Otherwise, it's weak in almost every other way.

THE DARK is an ambitious film, really one of the more interesting horror premises in years. Not wholly original, but it's more of a 50's throwback with a fine sense of purpose which is just to have some fun. A giant rodent with a hankering for dead people digs tunnels under cemeteries to get at it's food source. An ex-FBI agent is out to kill it while a scientist wants to capture it for study. It seems some goop it excretes helps quickly regenerate tissue in humans for quick healing.

THE DARK is from Imperial Entertainment, who seemed to specialize in off-kilter genre product. Almost family films, until you're quickly jarred by some extreme violence or out of place profanity. They're pleasantly odd as is THE DARK. It's a little slow in places and I'd have to pin that on the director Pryce. He could've really moved this sucker along. Brion James (RIP) gives a really bad performance; he's just picking up a paycheck. McHattie's a likable non-actor, like Steve McQueen, and his MOVING VIOLATION from the 70's is one of my favorite drive-in films. Of course, Neve is in it, she looks great, but let's face it, she can't act. She's done alright though, a lot better than I, so more power to her. THE DARK is fun, worth seeing, but not if you have to go out of your way.

A scientist and an ex-FBI man are both hunting for a strange creature that lives underground and feeds on the bodies of the dead. This strange monster has the ability to heal deadly wounds, but the ex-FBI agent (played with wild menace by the great Brion James) is determined to kill it because it killed his partner. Be sure to look for an early career appearance by Neve Campbell as a young Deputy.

Because of the average script, combined with a decent cast, this movie manages to somewhat overcome the fact that the monster looks like an extra from a 1950's horror movie. Worth a watch, but not a whole lot more.

This is one of the neatest movies I've seen in a long time. It is creative, fast-paced, fun, freaky, and surprising all at once. What more could I ask for in a film? Here's the rundown: (it's been awhile since I've seen it, so a few minor details might be off)

Stephen McHattie plays a doctor who is on the trail of a creature left over from prehistoric times: a giant rodent-like beast whose blood has the magical power to heal. The creature lives in tunnels it digs underground in cemeteries, and McHattie has finally tracked the last of its kind to one in a small town. Unfortunately for him, the creature is also being trailed by a crazed FBI agent (played by the always wonderful Brion James) who wants to kill the creature because it killed his partner.

Not much else to say about the plot without giving away surprises, other than that the climax inside the creatures tunnels are some of the coolest scenes I've watched. They create suspense and make you giggle while you shiver. And it is a prime example of how you don't need a super huge budget to make a super movie. Horror fans, this is a must-see! Zanatos's score: 9 out of 10!