Stars:
David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Tierra, Doug E. Doug, Scarlett Johansson, and
Tom Noonan
Writers:
Jesse Alexander and Ellory Elkayem
Based
On A Story By: Ellory Elkayem and Randy Kornfield
Director:
Ellory Elkayem
Feature
length: 99 minutes
Extras:
Feature Length Audio Commentary By Co-Stars David Arquette and Rick Overton,
Director/Co-Writer Ellory Elkayem, and Producer Dean Devlin, Additional Scenes,
Ellory Elkayem’s Award Winning Short Film “Larger Than Life,” “Creepy
Crawly Giants” Essay, Theatrical Trailer, Star/Director Film Highlights, DVD-ROM
Game, Website, and Web Access To Special Events
Languages:
English and French (Dubbed In Quebec) Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions and French and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Snap Case
Chapter
Stops: 29
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 2002/DVD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Warner Home Video
MPAA
Rating: PG-13
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
When
I first saw trailers for “Eight Legged Freaks” in theaters the only thing
that went through my mind was will I be able to eat my popcorn with all these
giant creepy crawlies running around on the screen? Well while some may not
regardless because of a deep aversion to bugs in general, the film gets by the
gross out factor through special effects sequences that are more exciting than
frightening and using green splatter blood when a spider gets whacked instead of
anything vaguely red. The sound effects also give a whimsical quality to the
attacking spiders almost like they are chattering or something. Finally the cast
as well as the filmmakers knows exactly how to play this film for thrills and
camp as homage to the giant bug films of the 1950s complete with the threat of
toxic waste as the culprit in this freaky little tale.
The
CGI effects are not quite state of the art, but they are close enough to suspend
disbelief and since the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, we can even
enjoy the elements that we know look fake because in the end it is all a part of
the charm. Casting David Arquette in a film like this is perfect since he can
give a very manic screen performance when he wants to, but surprisingly Arquette
is more restrained in during the film and it is Doug E. Doug as the conspiracy
theory desert radio jock who has what is perhaps the most over-the-top character
save for the spiders and Tom Noonan’s effective twist of being gentle yet
creepy in a cameo in the film’s opening.
Warner
Home Video has released “Eight Legged Freaks” in both widescreen and full
screen editions with identical special features sold separately. The widescreen
edition presents “Eight Legged Freaks” in an anamorphic (2.35:1) aspect
ratio preserving the way in which the film was exhibited theatrically. The
picture transfer is pretty good with solid colors and bright contrasts.
Sometimes I noticed a little shimmering, but nothing too distracting. The
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is full though not quite as
dynamic as I had hoped and there is a French (Dubbed In Quebec) Language Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack as well as English Captions and Closed Captions
for the hearing impaired and French and Spanish Language Subtitles encoded onto
the disc as options. Director/Co-Writer Ellory Elkayem along with Producer Dean
Devlin and Co-Stars David Arquette and Rick Overton collaborate on a scene
specific audio commentary mix that enhances the enthusiasm for the film through
the appreciation for genre films in general.
Other
extra features include Ellory Elkayem’s short film “Larger Than Life”
(13:36) complete with a text introduction in the (1.85:1) aspect ratio with
English Stereo Sound. There is also a (2.35:1) reel of deleted scenes (13:11)
that include a slightly different alternate opening and ending and the (1.85:1)
theatrical trailer (1:09) is also included with Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound.
Actor and Crew filmographies and an essay “Creepy Crawly Giants” that
explores the legacy of the giant insect films from “Them” to “Eight Legged
Freaks” in cinema and this essay can be read onscreen with a DVD-Video player.
Users with a Windows based PC and a DVD-ROM player as well as Internet access
also have access to InterActual enhanced features, such as the “High-Voltage
Spider-Killing Challenge,” the theatrical website, and links to future online
events.
The
main menus feature the occasional crawling arachnid making it’s way across the
otherwise standard interactive still frame menus that are easy to navigate.
“Eight Legged Freaks: Widescreen Edition” will debut on DVD-Video day and
date with a full screen version as well on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 from Warner
Home Video.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.