Man as a bonafide creature feature nut and hair band fan, I have been waiting impatiently to sink my teeth into this one. Tom Arnold is the tour manager for Sonic Grave, a one hit wonder eighties metal hair band trying to regain their glory. He books them at a festival out in the desert where they score some peyote from an old medicine man. Of course disregarding the warning that they shouldn't harm a single living thing while getting high or they will be cursed. There are a lot of silly things going on in this film but how about this, if you don't want to deal with giant ants...Stop selling the damn peyote!!!
This film is an uneven mix of fun and folly. Film quality is pretty good but the CGI is on the shoddy side. The acting is okay but not stellar and sometimes the movie is funny while other times the comedy falls flat. The premise is great, overall execution...middle of the road.
A fun cast does okay with the material. Sean Aston (in a throw away role) is, well...Sean Aston and not really needed. Jake Busey is a gonzo chip off the old block as lead singer, Merrick. Personally my favorite was drummer, Stevie played so damned cool by Leisha Haily. But Tom Arnold is the true lead here and how much you love or hate him will probably affect your feelings on the film. I found him as per usual, a mix of funny and annoying. Arnold as the constantly wise-cracking manager Danny IS the show and he blisters through it like it's the role of a lifetime. Regardless of whether each line works or not, he is the glue here keeping it all together.
A real missed opportunity here is the soundtrack. What should have been a rocking hair band extravaganza tour de force is instead a few reworked songs sporadically placed. Nice to see Slade's original Cum on feel the noize but there should have been more. Other one hit wonders like Eyes, L.A. Guns, Roxx Gang, Thunder and Dirty Looks should have made the cut. Also I just have to say...where is KIX?!!! For those of you unfamiliar with the tier 2 metal band from the eighties, Kix had two minor hits with "Don't Close Your Eyes" and "Blow my fuse" BOTH of which are included as Sonic Grave originals but no mention of the band or their renditions in the credits. That is just wrong!
As I said, it's an uneven affair and not everything works and the CGI is drive-on fodder. But there are funny moments and a certain off beat charm and some outlandish metal meets monsters fun. I didn't love it but I liked it quite a bit. The inside hair band jokes and B movie glee is present and director Ron Carlson keeps his vision intact. Have a few beers, put this one on and rock out!
3/5
recommended creature features:
Tremors
Rogue
Eight legged freaks
Big Ass Spider