"Piranha" Film Review (Presented in RealD 3D)
It came from the sea in 3D (Now on DVD)
3 1/2 Stars
Blog exclusive!
I have to admit that I have never seen the original "Piranha" (1978) film nor the many sequels that spawned from it, but I do have a lot to say about this remake. First off this movie is awesome. Directed by french horror auteur Alexandre Aja its evident from the get go that there is nothing poorly executed in the movie. "Piranha" is everything you want from a campy, B-movie horror film plus a third dimension. It has tits, lots of em, in all shapes and sizes (but mostly big) and hilarious death sequences. And you can't forget the one liners, there are many of those too.
A throwback to Stephen Spielberg's seminal "Jaws" (1975) many audiences will quickly notice the countless references. Even the "Piranha" movie poster is a direct knock-off of Jaws. However this movie stands alone from its horror movie brethren thanks to its excellent 3D cinematography. You will surely cringe at the many bits and pieces of flesh popping out of the screen. Yes this is a gross movie, perhaps the grossest I have seen since "Hostel" (2004; director Eli Roth makes a cameo appearance in "Piranha 3D") but the blood and gore play a central role in this film. One reviewer described the debauchery in this film as exploitative in a negative light. Well duh of course this is an exploitative movie. Nudity, cursing and blood have always been and will be the most important aspects of slasher films.
The plot is surprisingly engaging and integrates many memorable characters and events into the short running time of just 88 minutes. Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws) goes out fishing on Lake Victoria and after catching just one fish is blindsided by a random earthquake. The huge seismic activity occurring underneath the lake opens up a fissure leading to a subterranean lake within a lake. Deep in the space-like environment ripe with prehistoric plant life lies the Piranha's breeding grounds. And breeding season has begun.
Those expecting any shred of realism should return their ticket because "Piranha" is blatantly unrealistic. Sure real piranhas attack in groups, but they don't normally attack humans in such a savage way depicted in this film. Like tearing open a piece of mail the piranhas ripe open the bodies of unsuspecting beach revelers during spring break. A small group of people are tasked with saving the party goers from the ultimate hangover, death.
The 3D is this movie isn't in your face at all. In fact the movie seems so natural that you almost forget about the plastic glasses you are wearing. Instead of distracting you the 3D augments the film. Another thing to look out for in this movie is the sheer adrenaline of what I call the piranha cam. Whenever a piranha senses movement in the water, you the audience, seeming ride on their backs rocketing forward at breakneck speeds. It's exhilarating and only possible because of 3D.
Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future) also has a small, but noteworthy role, as a Mr. Goodman, that (and I'm not spoiling anything major here) is reminiscent of his "Back to the Future" (1985) days.
So if you have a night off and want to relax (kidding,) puke (really kidding) and laugh (not kidding) then go see "Piranha."
"Piranha" was directed by Alexandre Aja from a screenplay by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg.
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
3 1/2 Stars
Blog exclusive!
I have to admit that I have never seen the original "Piranha" (1978) film nor the many sequels that spawned from it, but I do have a lot to say about this remake. First off this movie is awesome. Directed by french horror auteur Alexandre Aja its evident from the get go that there is nothing poorly executed in the movie. "Piranha" is everything you want from a campy, B-movie horror film plus a third dimension. It has tits, lots of em, in all shapes and sizes (but mostly big) and hilarious death sequences. And you can't forget the one liners, there are many of those too.
A throwback to Stephen Spielberg's seminal "Jaws" (1975) many audiences will quickly notice the countless references. Even the "Piranha" movie poster is a direct knock-off of Jaws. However this movie stands alone from its horror movie brethren thanks to its excellent 3D cinematography. You will surely cringe at the many bits and pieces of flesh popping out of the screen. Yes this is a gross movie, perhaps the grossest I have seen since "Hostel" (2004; director Eli Roth makes a cameo appearance in "Piranha 3D") but the blood and gore play a central role in this film. One reviewer described the debauchery in this film as exploitative in a negative light. Well duh of course this is an exploitative movie. Nudity, cursing and blood have always been and will be the most important aspects of slasher films.
The plot is surprisingly engaging and integrates many memorable characters and events into the short running time of just 88 minutes. Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws) goes out fishing on Lake Victoria and after catching just one fish is blindsided by a random earthquake. The huge seismic activity occurring underneath the lake opens up a fissure leading to a subterranean lake within a lake. Deep in the space-like environment ripe with prehistoric plant life lies the Piranha's breeding grounds. And breeding season has begun.
Those expecting any shred of realism should return their ticket because "Piranha" is blatantly unrealistic. Sure real piranhas attack in groups, but they don't normally attack humans in such a savage way depicted in this film. Like tearing open a piece of mail the piranhas ripe open the bodies of unsuspecting beach revelers during spring break. A small group of people are tasked with saving the party goers from the ultimate hangover, death.
The 3D is this movie isn't in your face at all. In fact the movie seems so natural that you almost forget about the plastic glasses you are wearing. Instead of distracting you the 3D augments the film. Another thing to look out for in this movie is the sheer adrenaline of what I call the piranha cam. Whenever a piranha senses movement in the water, you the audience, seeming ride on their backs rocketing forward at breakneck speeds. It's exhilarating and only possible because of 3D.
Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future) also has a small, but noteworthy role, as a Mr. Goodman, that (and I'm not spoiling anything major here) is reminiscent of his "Back to the Future" (1985) days.
So if you have a night off and want to relax (kidding,) puke (really kidding) and laugh (not kidding) then go see "Piranha."
"Piranha" was directed by Alexandre Aja from a screenplay by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg.
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
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