Tremors: Shrieker Island Review

There is no reason for "Tremors: Shrieker Island" to not just be called "Tremors 7." There is no reason for "Tremors" to have seven movies. There is no reason for "Tremors" to be a franchise. There is no reason for Michael Gross" to have appeared in all the films. There is no reason for this film to exist in the first place. But all of those are true.

This time in the "Tremors" franchise, we find Gross' Burt Gummer character helping a team of scientists who's outdoor facility is on the neighboring island to Bill (Richard Blake, who chews more scenery than the monsters), who's bred "graboids" on his private resort. See, he finds these bored millionaires and promises them the hunt of their lives, subterranean worms. These creatures make for perfect low-budget monster movie stars, as it allows the limited budget to focus on the suggestion of the beasts, not necessarily their presence. Toss some dirt around and bam- you instantly have a behemoth nearby. No fancy special effects needed!

The times we do see them onscreen, they look pretty good, or at least, better than "Sharknado." Problems with the film begin once its established that we have shriekers, a sort of evolution the worms that walk on land that first debuted in the first sequel. Have we run out of steam? This is the seventh(!) film in the timeline, and we've gone back to pillage material from earlier films in the series?

The power of suggestion doesn't work here, and the budget constraints show- this is most obviously not something intended for theaters; these look like something you'd use a fake gun to blast away in the arcade video game in the theater's lobby.

A film like this defies regular film criticisms, as actors overact, do dumb things, and say even dumber things. But that's part of the charm, take a scene where Bill, after one of his rich friends is eaten, quips "if your gonna piss like a puppy you better stay on the porch." 

... What? It's campy bits like this that keep you paying attention between the monster action, and even the occasional misfire is usually accompanied by an amusing or exaggerated facial expressions. Look, this movie is pretty bad, but it knows it's bad, and never settles for simply being bad. Thanks to the energetic and efficient direction from Don Michael Paul, who also co-wrote the script, the well-shot location and fun performances lift the picture out from the bargain bin fate of most direct-to-video/streaming sequels.

Yes yes I know, it's lazy movie making no doubt, but it's not boring movie making, and there's a lesson to be learned here. I can't recommend something you'll fall asleep during, but "Tremors Shrieker Island" is no lullaby- it is escapist genre fare with thrills as familiar as they are entertaining.

So what else is new? Why are we all here? Did anyone eagerly await this review to see if they should press the "play" button on Netflix? My guess, if you've read this far, you've already watched it. Good for you, you've done your cinematic duty of helping B-movie filmmakers get their paycheck.