Chupa

Chupa (2000) fares better than your typical shot on VHS low budget. The cast are all pretty decent and it makes a reasonable effort with its make-up effects.

One criticism I have of the film is it veers too close to a certain 80's Sci-Fi Horror classic in the third act. One might call it a rip-off if it weren't for the characters mentioning the film's title in an obvious nod.

One thing I enjoyed greatly, though, was the wardrobe choices and technology presented that really give it an early '00s charm. We have several interesting archetypes investigating the Chupacabra and the way they butt heads really adds to the film's character.

Probably not the best Chupacabra film per se but it is still a surprisingly competent sci-fi suspense.

There's a special kind of magic in movies that were never meant to be perfect. Chupa isn't a technical marvel, and it doesn't try to be. The acting is sometimes shaky, the effects are shoestring, and the creature doesn't even look like any chupacabra I've ever heard of... but none of that matters. What it does have is something many polished studio films never quite achieve: heart. Honest to goodness heart.

Every character in this movie is likable, no matter how cheesy things might get. Every line, no matter how goofy or stilted, feels like it came from folks who believed in what they were doing. That sincerity cuts through the flaws for me. When the chupacabra finally shows up, it's not scary. It's campy, ridiculous, and perfect! You can't help but smile.

This is a film made with grit and joy, and the behind-the-scenes stories only add to its charm. It's the kind of movie you throw on when you need to escape the noise of the world, turn your brain off, and remember why you fell in love with B-grade movies in the first place. Chupa may not be high art, but it's high comfort. And for that, I give it a perfect 10.