Abominable

In a long line of B-movie crapfests delivered by the Sci-Fi Channel they actually get it right for a change by premiering a movie that seemingly doesn't suck. The film astonished all when it premiered on the channel back in May and proved that even if you take a over-used theme like a killer beast in the woods, you can still bring forth an interesting and original little gem. Abominable is the first feature film from newcomer Ryan Schifrin, who also wrote the script. Playing off the typical clichés we see time and time again in our beloved genre, Ryan somehow managed to deliver everything but predictability, and even adding a few creepy scenes here and there for added measure.

The film follows Preston Rogers as a man bound to a wheelchair after taking a spill off a mountain (where he lost his wife) during a routine climb many months prior. Preston returns to the cabin he once stayed in, hoping to have some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the hospital, but once there he notices a group of loud young girls looking to party in a nearby cabin, and through his peeping binoculars spies a stirring in the trees. To his shock he catches a glimpse of a large figure seemingly watching on as the girls settle in. Paranoia consumes him as the curious man continues to watch the woods until that following night when he witnesses one of the girls get taken into the woods by a mysterious figure. Could it be the legendary beast whom some consider the missing link? Whatever it is, the man feels it's his responsibility to warn the girls before they too become the creature's main course.

The first half of the film seems like a homage to Hitchcock's classic Rear Window, playing off chills and suspense through the eyes of binoculars, while the other half revolves around the survival of the remaining characters. The fact that our lead is bound to a wheelchair makes things much more interesting since he's only limited to a certain amount of things and creates some decent tension when called for. Of course the movie doesn't shy away from the nudity and gore. Although it was obviously cut from the broadcast premiere, the R-rated version will feature a nice close-up of a very naked Tiffany Shepis in the shower and a couple awesome (and gory) death scenes. Excellent. Expect to catch this baby uncut on DVD October 3rd this year.

OVERALL

To my surprise this film was actually pretty good, thanks to the good writing and directing efforts from first-timer Ryan Schifrin. If you're looking for a smart monster flick with a little edge on a low-budget then check this out.

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hunter

Posted 84 days ago

a dude got his face bitten off it was awesome

Tom

Posted 163 days ago

If you begin watching this film without a decent sense of humor or some idea of what makes a good horror film.. then you will be missing the point the whole way through. I rather liked the practical yet goofy man in a large monster suit effects, its old school, and in today's world... that is getting harder and harder to find in the horror genre. What this film really builds on is its strength in the suspense department, we don't see the monster for the first half, just mere glimpses and evidence that it has indeed been there and eaten someone. The great score by Lalo Schifrin (the director's father) sets the tone nicely, lots of loud rumbeling noises and high frequency build-ups, and by the time the monster arrives we are primed and ready for some gory mayhem. Most of the monster action is seen through the eyes of a man looking through his binoculors at the house next door, which makes for some really cool angles and shots of the creature stalking the helpless girls and brutalizing them. Edited for the Sci-fi channel and released uncut on DVD, the DVD is definetely the way to go, lest you miss all the fun gory bits and some great lines by Lance Henriksen and the late Paul Gleason. You shouldn't pass this one up, I anxiously await the sequel.

frightie

Posted 175 days ago

It's a good movie, in my opinion, and good movies get at least a 7.

dragonmanes

Posted 177 days ago

So basically according to your ratings system, Abominable is as good as American Psycho or A Tale of Two Sisters? For film quality, theres no way it rates higher than a 6, its a standard retread plot with ok acting and gore.

ricardo

Posted 383 days ago

It was very good. i like it
In the 2 one make it more blood and scary scary scary.

Chief

Posted 633 days ago

This is a rare thing these days. A monster movie without crappy CG. Guy in a suit? check. Blood and Guts? Check. Movies a little slow, but you should check it out.

UK VOICE OF HORROR

Posted 651 days ago

well what can i say a low budget film with big values ,a good old fashioned monster movie with no crappy cgi .it is how a film should be, a good story with a begining a middle and a descent ending (which is rare in this genre). it is also helped by a good score from the composer of the amytiville horror (the directors father )it beats some of the big box office crap hand down .i recomend this film score 8/10

Werewolf Hunter

Posted 667 days ago

I wish people wouldn't trash this movie so much. It's NOT that bad! Cute girls+a vicious sasquatch+sick gore(could've used more)+Paul Gleason(RIP)+Rex Linn+Lance Henrikson+Jeffery Combs=Very good stuff! 6/10.

b-fan

Posted 668 days ago

for being a low budget monster flick, going into it you dont expect much, but this one actually delivers on the level its supposed to and even goes higher, the monster doesnt look great, but its passable, but the story and the acting carries the movie, kudos to the makers of a decent monster movie

Daniel

Posted 747 days ago

I WISHED THIS MOVIE WENT INT0 THEATERS. I GIVE IT 8/10

blood guts what ever makes me happy

Posted 753 days ago

It wuz not a great movie but i thought it had its share of good gore scenes.

J Roark

Posted 756 days ago

Saw the movie on TV and then bought it on DVD. This is NOT a disappointing film. this, along with Dog Soldiers and Shallow Ground, are the only 3 good movies to appear on Sci Fi Saturday's main spot.

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