The always engaging Jesse Vint plays Mike Colby, an intergalactic troubleshooter who's called into service on a remote planet. It seems that the scientists there have let their big genetic experiment get out of control. Now there's a continuously evolving life form on the loose in their station, one that does hideous things to human bodies in order to digest them. The head scientist, Gordon Hauser (TV veteran Linden Chiles, 'James at 15'), doesn't want the truth about the species' origins to be known, which doesn't help matters. Ultimately, it's Dr. Cal Timbergen (notably eccentric character actor Fox Harris, "Repo Man") who will prove to be far more helpful.
Of course, one can hardly fail to notice that Mike and the others don't seem too concerned at first about the creatures' whereabouts. Mike's far more interested in hooking up with *both* of the hottie ladies at this station: Dr. Barbara Glaser (foxy blonde June Chadwick, "This is Spinal Tap") and Tracy Baxter (sultry brunette Dawn Dunlap, "Laura" '79). The two ladies even have an enticing scene with each other!
Director / editor Allan Holzman ("Grunt! The Wrestling Movie") does a decent job working in confined quarters; genre buffs will know that this typically cheap Roger Corman production re-uses sets from "Galaxy of Terror" as well as special effects shots from "Battle Beyond the Stars". The cheese and trash levels are pretty much off the charts here, as you can tell from the previous paragraph. For a movie obviously designed to get a little more use out of previously existing elements, this *is* pretty entertaining, especially in the directors' cut with its use of classical music and comedic moments. The score by Susan Justin (who was Mrs. Holzman in real life) is quite amusing.
The studly Vint is well supported by Chadwick, Harris, Chiles, Ray Oliver ("Child's Play"), Scott Paulin ("Cat People" '82), and Michael Bowen ("Jackie Brown"). Dunlap looks great but really isn't much of an actress. Don Olivera, who did the crude but enjoyable makeup and creature effects along with John Carl Buechler ("Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood"), plays the role of the robot SAM-104.
Highly recommended to folks who appreciate the sleazier and cheesier side of B level genre cinema.
Seven out of 10.
Of course, one can hardly fail to notice that Mike and the others don't seem too concerned at first about the creatures' whereabouts. Mike's far more interested in hooking up with *both* of the hottie ladies at this station: Dr. Barbara Glaser (foxy blonde June Chadwick, "This is Spinal Tap") and Tracy Baxter (sultry brunette Dawn Dunlap, "Laura" '79). The two ladies even have an enticing scene with each other!
Director / editor Allan Holzman ("Grunt! The Wrestling Movie") does a decent job working in confined quarters; genre buffs will know that this typically cheap Roger Corman production re-uses sets from "Galaxy of Terror" as well as special effects shots from "Battle Beyond the Stars". The cheese and trash levels are pretty much off the charts here, as you can tell from the previous paragraph. For a movie obviously designed to get a little more use out of previously existing elements, this *is* pretty entertaining, especially in the directors' cut with its use of classical music and comedic moments. The score by Susan Justin (who was Mrs. Holzman in real life) is quite amusing.
The studly Vint is well supported by Chadwick, Harris, Chiles, Ray Oliver ("Child's Play"), Scott Paulin ("Cat People" '82), and Michael Bowen ("Jackie Brown"). Dunlap looks great but really isn't much of an actress. Don Olivera, who did the crude but enjoyable makeup and creature effects along with John Carl Buechler ("Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood"), plays the role of the robot SAM-104.
Highly recommended to folks who appreciate the sleazier and cheesier side of B level genre cinema.
Seven out of 10.