Carnosaur (1993)
Studio: CAV/New Concorde
Theatrical Release: May 21st, 1993
DVD Release: April 18, 2000
Directors: Adam Simon and Darren Moloney
R
Review by James Klein
Released just weeks before Steven Spielberg's summer blockbuster hit Jurassic Park, Carnosaur is the gorier, darker and obviously cheaper version of that film. Produced by Roger Corman and starring Diane Ladd, whose daughter co-starred in Jurassic Park, Carnosaur is a lot of fun but is not quite for everyone. The effects are pre-CGI so some people may have an issue with the animatronics and puppets that are used (I, of course, love it) and to cover the effects up, much of the film takes place at night where the picture is rather murky and difficult at times to make out what is happening on screen. Still, for a quick 83 minutes to pass, you could do much worse.
Diane Ladd plays the crazed Dr. Jane Tiptree, a geneticist who plans to create a virus that could destroy humankind and bring about the return of the dawn of dinosaurs once again. Why do you ask? Well, because she is a loony that's why. While a night watchman named Doc and a young pretty environmentalist come together and slowly uncover what the nutty Dr. Tiptree is doing, she has already released in the small dessert town a few dinosaurs of her own, watching thru computer monitors her progress. What we see are various quick clips of dinosaurs ripping apart drunken/sex crazed teens, hippie environmentalists, cops, and even a dog.
What makes the film fun is that even though the premise is rather silly and over the top, the movie continues to play it straight. There is no winking at the camera or bad jokes to let the audience know the film makers are on the joke. To me, this allows the viewer to have a good time and appreciate what these film makers can do with such a small budget (reportedly at only 1 million).
Diane Ladd isn't as flamboyant as she was in Wild at Heart but she still can subtly chew the scenery at times and is a joy to watch. Raphael Sbarge, best known for playing small roles in numerous TV shows and TV movies (he'll always be Glenn from Risky Business and the nerd in My Science Project to me) plays a fairly good hero. And yes, Corman fans, Clint Howard's cameo is a delight and always enjoyable to see. Even the worst film can be boosted up a little on the ratings scale when Howard is on screen.
John Carl Buechler's creature effects may be a bit dated even for 1993 but as I stated earlier, I enjoy practical effects over digital. The look of the dinosaurs are great and the amount of gore being thrown around was a shock. I wasn't expected to see intestines ripped out or faces literally torn apart. This is not a kids film, parents. Unless you want to give your children nightmares, keep them away from Carnosaur. And how about that ending? Was that a little tribute to Night of the Living Dead?
I must not be the only one who enjoyed Carnosaur as the film has now spawned two direct to video sequels, both of which I have not seen yet. While Carnosaur seems to be the type of film that would now be done with really bad digital effects and broadcast on the Syfy channel starring a bunch of 20 year olds, luckily this is not the case and the now 20 year old film still holds up as a fun, gory monster movie. [rating:3]
Theatrical Release: May 21st, 1993
DVD Release: April 18, 2000
Directors: Adam Simon and Darren Moloney
R
Review by James Klein
Released just weeks before Steven Spielberg's summer blockbuster hit Jurassic Park, Carnosaur is the gorier, darker and obviously cheaper version of that film. Produced by Roger Corman and starring Diane Ladd, whose daughter co-starred in Jurassic Park, Carnosaur is a lot of fun but is not quite for everyone. The effects are pre-CGI so some people may have an issue with the animatronics and puppets that are used (I, of course, love it) and to cover the effects up, much of the film takes place at night where the picture is rather murky and difficult at times to make out what is happening on screen. Still, for a quick 83 minutes to pass, you could do much worse.
Diane Ladd plays the crazed Dr. Jane Tiptree, a geneticist who plans to create a virus that could destroy humankind and bring about the return of the dawn of dinosaurs once again. Why do you ask? Well, because she is a loony that's why. While a night watchman named Doc and a young pretty environmentalist come together and slowly uncover what the nutty Dr. Tiptree is doing, she has already released in the small dessert town a few dinosaurs of her own, watching thru computer monitors her progress. What we see are various quick clips of dinosaurs ripping apart drunken/sex crazed teens, hippie environmentalists, cops, and even a dog.
What makes the film fun is that even though the premise is rather silly and over the top, the movie continues to play it straight. There is no winking at the camera or bad jokes to let the audience know the film makers are on the joke. To me, this allows the viewer to have a good time and appreciate what these film makers can do with such a small budget (reportedly at only 1 million).
Diane Ladd isn't as flamboyant as she was in Wild at Heart but she still can subtly chew the scenery at times and is a joy to watch. Raphael Sbarge, best known for playing small roles in numerous TV shows and TV movies (he'll always be Glenn from Risky Business and the nerd in My Science Project to me) plays a fairly good hero. And yes, Corman fans, Clint Howard's cameo is a delight and always enjoyable to see. Even the worst film can be boosted up a little on the ratings scale when Howard is on screen.
John Carl Buechler's creature effects may be a bit dated even for 1993 but as I stated earlier, I enjoy practical effects over digital. The look of the dinosaurs are great and the amount of gore being thrown around was a shock. I wasn't expected to see intestines ripped out or faces literally torn apart. This is not a kids film, parents. Unless you want to give your children nightmares, keep them away from Carnosaur. And how about that ending? Was that a little tribute to Night of the Living Dead?
I must not be the only one who enjoyed Carnosaur as the film has now spawned two direct to video sequels, both of which I have not seen yet. While Carnosaur seems to be the type of film that would now be done with really bad digital effects and broadcast on the Syfy channel starring a bunch of 20 year olds, luckily this is not the case and the now 20 year old film still holds up as a fun, gory monster movie. [rating:3]
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