Plot: What’s it about?
Dr. Paul Dean (Robert Glaudini) is a smart person and a capable scientist, but you might have your doubts after this next piece of news. In his work, he seems to have created a parasite and this one is bad news all around. An accident has released these bug-like parasites and these aren’t the kind of things you want running around. The parasites are big and bad, which means unless Dean and his assistant Patricia Welles (Demi Moore) can do something, the entire world is doomed to be infested. As if this isn’t enough pressure, these two also encounter a band of hoodlum rednecks and their leader Ricus (Lucio Bercovici), as well as a ruthless government agent. The rednecks want to cause all sorts of trouble and as for the government agent, he is not a good guy and he ends up slowing down Dean and Welles also. Can these two avoid the parasites and these humans long enough to stop the infestation before it begins?
Call me kooky, but I am always interested in storylines where massive bugs are involved. I might not like them all, but I am always willing the give big bug flicks a chance. This is such a film and while Parasite isn’t a household known movie, it does have serious star power in the form of Demi Moore. This was her second motion picture and her first leading role, but she seems right at home trying to survive this terrible bug attack. Add in the skills of veteran low budget producer/director Charles Band and I’d have to say, this one looks like it could be good. And the film does turn out to be good, though not in the typical sense of the word. It is always cool to see a huge star in an early role within a low profile horror flick, but this one also has some cool special effects (by Stan Winston & James Kagel) and the whole, has more fun moments than dull ones. This isn’t a masterpiece by any means, but Full Moon fanatics and low budget horror buffs will want to check it out.
We’ve seen Demi Moore as a stripper, a soldier, a juror, and many other roles, but this is her sole venture into the realm of low budget horror. Of course, no one knew who she was unless they watched General Hospital, but Moore still looks fine and turns in a decent performance, given the material she had to work with. I think fans of hers should check out the movie, as it offers the chance to see her within a genre she’s never went back to and that’s worth a look. She doesn’t show her charisma that much and she doesn’t have those implants just yet, but she still shines as brightly as she can. You can also see Moore in such films as A Few Good Men, Striptease, Indecent Proposal, Disclosure, G.I. Jane, and The Juror. The cast of Parasite also includes Robert Glaudini (Mississippi Burning), Lucio Bercovici (The Big Squeeze), and James Davidson (Gray Lady Down). At the helm of this movie is Charles Band, who knows a trick or two when it comes to low budget, but high entertainment horror movies. Band has produced a plethora of movies, as well as directing such pictures as Blood Dolls, Hideous!, Prehysteria, Dollman vs. Demonic Toys, and The Creeps.
Video: How does it look?
Parasite is presented in a full frame transfer and this is where the disc comes up short. This is a pan & scan version of the film, which should have been shown in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen edition instead. So right off the bat you’ll see those annoying camera pans and such, but that isn’t the only thing wrong with this one. I saw a lot of grain on this one from start to finish, which causes the black areas to lighten. This isn’t much of a factor in the lighter sequences, but when the shadows emerge, what should be dark seems too bright. The colors seem good though, although in my book that is too little, too late. Full Moon has started to push out some top notch discs and I hope at some point, this title will be looked at again and given a decent treatment.
Audio: How does it sound?
This is a middle of the road audio impression, as it isn’t that bad, but it’s not that good either. I suppose this is more than adequate in the end, but it is not a memorable experience in the least. The elements sound decent enough and I never strained to make out words or effects, but the mix has no range and seems rather flat overall. All the essentials are present, but it doesn’t leave much of an impression. Still though, it does what it needs to and as such, I won’t be too harsh on it when I score the disc.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes some talent files and the film’s theatrical trailer.
