Genre: Horror Dark Comedy
Stars:
Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies, Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Barbara Steele,
Dick Miller, and Paul Bartell
Writer:
John Sayles
Based
On A Story By: Richard Robinson and John Sayles
Director:
Joe Dante
Feature
length: 90 minutes
Languages:
English Stereo
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Jewel Case
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1978/VCD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: New World Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment Through Video Van In
Malaysia Only
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
I
am not sure if New Concord Home Video distributes “Piranha” in the States,
but Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment has recently released Joe Dante’s
“Piranha” as a part of their “Movie Time” label on VCD in Malaysia. This
title is part a few recently released Video-CDs of American films and all are
legal copies made and licensed by MGM Home Entertainment through Video Van in
Malaysia. They contain the Malaysian Government Stamp of Approval and like the
Fox VCD release of the “Star Wars Trilogy” on VCD, the packaging states
“Original Premiere VCD” on the inner spine where the jewel case cover is
hinged.
I
have never seen “Piranha” before and I found the film to be quite an
entertaining piece of horror, humor, and exploitation. The scene where we see
the old “Jaws” videogame brings back memories of when I was in grade school
and during the summer my parents would take my brother and I on family vacations
and within the game room of the hotels there were these early videogames like
“Jaws.” So seeing the game in the film quite frankly brought a sense of
nostalgia over me. I miss those simpler times.
Anyway,
the story is quite simple. Genetically altered piranha are accidentally let
loose into the local river and begin feeding on hapless vacationers, summer camp
kids, and fisherman. Unless a way can be found to kill these fish that were
originally designed as a form of bio-weaponry for use against the Vietcong, they
will eat their way into the ocean and multiply until no water is safe.
Look
for Dick Miller and Paul Bartell as well as John Sayles in a cameo as an army
officer. There’s some good use of sound and quick cutting to make the fish
more menacing and the film features a nice quick pace so by the end it’s pure
low budget popcorn fair and a damn good one at that. James Cameron would direct
the sequel while Dante would move on to direct “The Howling” and then spring
into the eye of Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and direct “Gremlins” and
“Innerspace” among other hit features.
The
VCD has a surprisingly good transfer considering this film is well over 20 years
old. The artifacting associated MPEG-1 compression is kept at a minimum and the
source print is also very clean. The presentation aspect ratio is (1.33:1) and
the English Stereo Soundtrack is clear CD digital quality without any hissing.
There is a trailer for MGM’s “What’s The Worst That Could Happen?” and an
advertisement for Fox Studios Australia before the feature. The film runs across
two VCDs and is packaged in a standard jewel case with an appendage within to
hold two Video-CDs.
For
less than ten dollars, consumers with DVD players backwardly compatible with VCD
and or a computer with a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive will actually get a great value
in return. “Piranha: MGM Movie Time” VCD is available now and can be ordered
directly from Eureka Movies.Com.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.