Not-bad little sci fi movie about a virus created in a lab, and the researcher who accidentally becomes exposed to it. The results of his infection are truly ghastly, thanks to some marvelous practical makeup effects.
The movie hits the ground running with the scientist's exposure; soon after the opening titles, a couple parks in a dark alley to make out. While in flagrente delictu, they are attacked and killed by the now monstrous scientist.
Soon afterwards, the government assigns their hottest agent, sexy David Warbeck, to work on the case of the missing scientist and the sudden rash of homicides. A search of the scientist's house ends in tragedy, but the monster is just getting started.
The pace picks up about halfway through the movie, with an attack in a movie theater, a bimbo in the shower and - in a genuinely suspenseful and frightening sequence - an attack on the priest and choir boys in a church.
The final 20 minutes are best, as we finally get a good look at the ghastly monster and the search for him leads Warbeck and the cops into the creepy sewers beneath the city. The ending is quite satisfying.
The movie's strongpoints include Mr. Warbeck, and the numerous "woof" shots he provides. Terrific makeup effects and some of the later music cues make the second half a pretty satisfying monster movie. The weaknesses are some pacing issues in the first half of the film, plus the casting of some painfully unattractive actors in the supporting roles (government bureaucrats, police chiefs, etc.).
Watch it with an open mind and, if you're in the mood for a drive-in monster movie, you probably won't be disappointed.
The movie hits the ground running with the scientist's exposure; soon after the opening titles, a couple parks in a dark alley to make out. While in flagrente delictu, they are attacked and killed by the now monstrous scientist.
Soon afterwards, the government assigns their hottest agent, sexy David Warbeck, to work on the case of the missing scientist and the sudden rash of homicides. A search of the scientist's house ends in tragedy, but the monster is just getting started.
The pace picks up about halfway through the movie, with an attack in a movie theater, a bimbo in the shower and - in a genuinely suspenseful and frightening sequence - an attack on the priest and choir boys in a church.
The final 20 minutes are best, as we finally get a good look at the ghastly monster and the search for him leads Warbeck and the cops into the creepy sewers beneath the city. The ending is quite satisfying.
The movie's strongpoints include Mr. Warbeck, and the numerous "woof" shots he provides. Terrific makeup effects and some of the later music cues make the second half a pretty satisfying monster movie. The weaknesses are some pacing issues in the first half of the film, plus the casting of some painfully unattractive actors in the supporting roles (government bureaucrats, police chiefs, etc.).
Watch it with an open mind and, if you're in the mood for a drive-in monster movie, you probably won't be disappointed.