RHI Entertainment
R1 DVD
Blood
Monkey is part of the maneater series which was made for the Sci Fi channel.
They were made for television and this was the first release in the series
dating from January 2007. Since it was a made for TV production I think we need
to give it more than a little slack. It is obvious from the outset that the
budget is not high and that the film relies more on mood than on special
effects.
There
is one major name actor in the film F.Abraham Murray, who is a bit beyond his
prime and the rest are non descript actors and actresses. That being said they
do a reasonable job with roles which are fairly stereotypical – there is the
jock, the nerd, the bimbo, the stoic hero, the love interest, the mad
scientist, the devoted warrior and so on.
Blood
Monkey spends a lot of time developing mood, atmosphere and a storyline with
loads of potential. It begins with an attempt to trap what looks like a blood
big ape, later we learn these are actually a new species on the evolutionary
tree. The capture goes awry with devastating consequences. Soon, however, a new
supply of cannon fodder is on the way in the form of a group of wet behind the
ears students.
They
arrive expecting “working experience” archaeology but actually get drawn into
the quest for this elusive evolutionary quirky. Soon they realize that it has
an intelligence equal to or greater than man’s but has evolved with an emphasis
on the “ape” side and is hence brutal and savage, especially when it’s
territory is invaded.
Blood
Monkey is a strange film; there is lots of mood, great environmental
photography and even some intriguing character development as the various
members of the team play off each other. There are some good shocks, occasional
flashes of blood and gore and a reasonable level of action. The one thing
missing is the creature. You see glimpses here and there, some “Predator” like
vision effects and finally when you see the creature it is a letdown.
For
all that I enjoyed Blood Monkey, regardless of its limitations it has enough
atmosphere and mood to make it a enjoyable viewing experience.
This review will appear in Volume 2 No.3
(2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.
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