Runtime: 87 minutes
Directed by: Lewis Teague
Starring: Robert Forster
(RIP), Robin Riker, Michael V. Gazzo, Dean Jagger, Henry Silva
From: Group 1
International Distribution
RIP Robert Forster
Naturally I had to see something by him after he just passed away, and why not a horror movie during October? I have seen some of his more famous roles anyhow; I was happy to have the opportunity during 2018's Florida Film Festival to see Pam Grier in person as Jackie Brown was shown. Not only do I appreciate the movie far more than I did back in the day, but both her and Forster were great in their roles. From what I've seen other celebrities say, he seemed like a quality human being too and at least late in life, he would hand out letter openers as gifts to all the co-stars he would work with on a production. A shame that this happened.
Alligator was not only yet another motion picture “inspired” by Jaws, but it also included the idea of pollution, nuclear waste or scientists experimenting with various chemicals causing an animal to mutate and become enormous. Via contrivances an alligator is flushed down the toilet in a Midwestern city and ends up in a sewer (now there is an old wives' tale). Forster is the troubled cop who is investigating a series of brutal killings and realizes it's the title creature. As like with Piranha this was written by John Sayles and the two have a pretty similar tone, meaning that it doesn't take itself entirely seriously but it's not a parody or an outright comedy. Amongst the targets that the movie takes potshots at: politicians, the media, and rich sons of bitches, to state it bluntly.
This is a silly B movie yet a fun one which I'd compare to one of those awful SyFy Channel creature features... if I would have seen one of them back when they used to show them. In any case, I am sure this is much more pleasurable and interesting than any of those. Considering this is a low budget production from 40 years ago, I can't complain about the effects, which were either a real gator or a giant animatronic. Forster did a nice job as the lead but this has a solid B-movie cast: Robin Riker, Michael V. Gazzo, Dean Jagger, Sydney Lassick, Perry Lang and in the role that entertained me the most, Henry Silva as a wacky big game hunter who not only uses “the youth on the street” for assistance, but acquires their help in a rather memorable fashion.
For those that like gore, there are some bloody moments; overall if you liked the original Piranha... two more things before I go: For some, I'll give a giant vegan alert to the fact that a pet shop owner is an A-hole who finds strays on the street and brings them into a pharmaceutical company so they could be used for animal testing. That is the catalyst for the title critter being what it is. Also, there is a minor character killed off-screen named EDWARD NORTON. It now makes me want the real Edward Norton to star in a giant alligator picture.
Naturally I had to see something by him after he just passed away, and why not a horror movie during October? I have seen some of his more famous roles anyhow; I was happy to have the opportunity during 2018's Florida Film Festival to see Pam Grier in person as Jackie Brown was shown. Not only do I appreciate the movie far more than I did back in the day, but both her and Forster were great in their roles. From what I've seen other celebrities say, he seemed like a quality human being too and at least late in life, he would hand out letter openers as gifts to all the co-stars he would work with on a production. A shame that this happened.
Alligator was not only yet another motion picture “inspired” by Jaws, but it also included the idea of pollution, nuclear waste or scientists experimenting with various chemicals causing an animal to mutate and become enormous. Via contrivances an alligator is flushed down the toilet in a Midwestern city and ends up in a sewer (now there is an old wives' tale). Forster is the troubled cop who is investigating a series of brutal killings and realizes it's the title creature. As like with Piranha this was written by John Sayles and the two have a pretty similar tone, meaning that it doesn't take itself entirely seriously but it's not a parody or an outright comedy. Amongst the targets that the movie takes potshots at: politicians, the media, and rich sons of bitches, to state it bluntly.
This is a silly B movie yet a fun one which I'd compare to one of those awful SyFy Channel creature features... if I would have seen one of them back when they used to show them. In any case, I am sure this is much more pleasurable and interesting than any of those. Considering this is a low budget production from 40 years ago, I can't complain about the effects, which were either a real gator or a giant animatronic. Forster did a nice job as the lead but this has a solid B-movie cast: Robin Riker, Michael V. Gazzo, Dean Jagger, Sydney Lassick, Perry Lang and in the role that entertained me the most, Henry Silva as a wacky big game hunter who not only uses “the youth on the street” for assistance, but acquires their help in a rather memorable fashion.
For those that like gore, there are some bloody moments; overall if you liked the original Piranha... two more things before I go: For some, I'll give a giant vegan alert to the fact that a pet shop owner is an A-hole who finds strays on the street and brings them into a pharmaceutical company so they could be used for animal testing. That is the catalyst for the title critter being what it is. Also, there is a minor character killed off-screen named EDWARD NORTON. It now makes me want the real Edward Norton to star in a giant alligator picture.
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