Reviewed by Carol Sullivan
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Director: Mark A. Lewis
Starring: Val Kilmer, Aaron Ashmore, Kyle Schmid, Steph Song, Viv Leacock, Martha MacIsaac
On DVD: October 6th, 2009
Studio: LionsGate
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The Thaw, my second venture into the 2009 Ghost House Underground's films has proved, yet again, that they are definitely getting better at this. Even though we have only four films to choose from, compared to last years eight, the quality of each has greatly improved; and I'll take quality over quantity any day. Though this story line has been done before, with varying degrees of success, The Thaw was a pleasant surprise...
The story is simple enough; a team of scientists at the polar ice cap stumble across a wooly mammoth. The furry relic is cause for celebration, but little do they know that the mammoth is carrying something ancient and nasty; a prehistoric parasite is also rapidly approaching room-temp...and is hungry.
When Dr. Krupen (Val Kilmer, Heat) invites a group of ecology students up to see the dig sight, his daughter joins the group. Now the scientists and youths are both in danger and will have to make a decision; try to escape the breeding parasite and possibly infect the world...Or contain the infestation and make the ultimate sacrifice.
There are quite a few movies, as of late, where global warming and its dire message are prevalent; whether you buy into the theory or not, it does play a large part in the world's present concerns. In The Thaw, the message is driven home a number of times, but it's wrapped-up in some pretty entertaining cinema.
But, the film's effect is the same whether you drive a Prius or a Hummer; the thought of being the unwilling host to a deadly insect is terrifying. The filmmakers have packed this movie with plenty of scurrying critters; but the sound of thousands of scuttling little legs was the worst for me. I'm thinking of buying stock in Raid after this movie!
I was a little disappointed that Val Kilmer didn't have a bigger role in this film, but
Mark Lewis has written a scary, believable tale and the young cast pulls it off with ease. So, scurry out today and get The Thaw; it's guaranteed to make you think and squirm all over.
Recommended as a rental and/or purchase.
Overall Rating: 3
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 September 2010 11:04 )
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