Stephen McHattie and Neve Campbell star in this dreadfully dumb monster movie that I imagine both actors would prefer to see wiped from their respective filmographies. The wafer thin plot sees a giant, mutated prehistoric rat feeding on the recently interred at a cemetery. MacHattie's character, Hunter, is a scientist that wants to capture the rat for the cell regenerating black goop it secretes. Campbell is Jesse, a young cop called to the cemetery by two gravediggers who discover the creature. Meanwhile, an ex-FBI agent (played by Brion James) is also after the oversized rodent, although I can't remember why (he's the baddie, so I know it wasn't for humanitarian reasons).
If originality, intelligence and coherence are in short supply, as is the case here, a decent creature and a reasonable dose of gore are almost mandatory requirements; sadly, The Dark has neither. The monster is hardly on screen, not surprising given that what we do see looks completely rubbish, and the gore is limited to a couple of gunshot wounds. Much of the action involves the characters running through the graveyard, digging holes, and exploring the tunnels, all of which is extremely dull. On the plus side, Campbell looks nice in uniform, and there is a gratuitous sex scene, McHattie getting lucky with diner waitress Tracy (Cynthia Belliveau)—not much to recommend the film, but it's the best I could do.
If originality, intelligence and coherence are in short supply, as is the case here, a decent creature and a reasonable dose of gore are almost mandatory requirements; sadly, The Dark has neither. The monster is hardly on screen, not surprising given that what we do see looks completely rubbish, and the gore is limited to a couple of gunshot wounds. Much of the action involves the characters running through the graveyard, digging holes, and exploring the tunnels, all of which is extremely dull. On the plus side, Campbell looks nice in uniform, and there is a gratuitous sex scene, McHattie getting lucky with diner waitress Tracy (Cynthia Belliveau)—not much to recommend the film, but it's the best I could do.