The SyFy channel spits out original movies like rabbits have babies. I’m sure not all of them are original productions, however I have so many of them on DVD (and God knows I’ve said this a million times), they all are six of one, one half dozen of the other when it comes to their production values. With that said, let me move onto to the next film that should be added to that long list of, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” SyFy original movies that just blow your mind with how bad they are. Yet, some people really enjoy these up to date B-movies.
Killer Plant films! When I think of Killer Plant movies, I think Little Shop of Horrors, The Ruins (book was better than the film), Swamp Thing. Honestly, I can’t remember any good horror films that involved killer plants at the moment. I guess I should have taken this as a warning sign when I saw the cover to this film, Mandrake.
My guess is that the producers at the SyFy channel have a thing for treasure hunters getting killed by some kind of monster or creature. Is it just me, or do most of the original features have the plot of treasure hunters fighting monsters. Make no mistake about it; Mandrake is about a group of adventurers setting out deep into the jungle in search of a legendary jeweled dagger from an ancient burial ground. As always, they think if they find it, they will be wealthy beyond imagination, but as the story would go, they end up unleashing a hybrid mix of plant and animal know as the Mandrake, which likes to kill and eat people. Thus, the film becomes that good old game of cat and mouse and you can kind of guess where it ends up.
As always the film’s production values are nothing great. I love how they try to play off the swamps of Louisiana as a jungle. The film is full of overacting, cheap thrills and effects. However, I have to give this film a littler bit more credit in its effects department, as they are better than usual in a SyFy original film. Really, folks, there is nothing we all haven’t seen before here. It’s your basic plot of treasurer hunters fighting a monster in the jungle. We’ve seen it a million times before and I’m sure we will see many more in the future.
Overall, I’m not a fan of these films. They worked when my grandparents and parents were kids, when computers and advancement in make-up were a pipe dream. With today’s standards and cheap advancements in technology, this film could have been made better. There are some of you who like these films and then there is the majority like myself who would rather watch something else. In short, if you like these films then by all means check it out.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
