Plot: What’s it about?
The expression “the tip of the iceberg” can be used in many situations, such as finding the tail of a massive reptile. This is what happens to some Danish miners, as they drilled into the ground and their bit surfaced covered in blood. The crew takes a portion of the reptile’s tail and turn it over to scientists, to be studied and what not. But when the tail begins to grow, it is obvious the creature has started to regenerate and that’s bad news, to be sure. Soon the beast has returned to full size and this is one mean reptile, complete with all the tools needed to demolish anything in its path. It soon begins a road of destruction, laying waste to all it sees and with the ability to spit acid, no one is able to stop or even slow down the beast. The Danish armed forces soon gather to attempt a takedown, but if the creature is blown apart, it will result in countless smaller beasts, which is not at all a desirable concept. How can this massive reptile be defeated, or more to the point, can it be struck down at all?
I love a good monster movie and while Reptilicus isn’t a good monster movie, it is still a lot of fun to watch, I think. As usual for this genre, there’s not much in terms of good writing or performances, but the monster is cool, even if for all the wrong reasons. Yes, the special effects are downright miserable and the film has minimal actual merits, but gosh guys, it is still a cool movie and a fun flick to watch with some friends. This isn’t the best offering the bad movie gods have to offer, but it is a great one to watch, if just to laugh at the lesser points. The storyline hits on all the expected cliches and I mean all of them, it doesn’t miss a single one. It even has a hilarious musical sequence, which is a highlight of mine, to be sure. Of course, not everyone likes these “so bad they’re good” movies, but a lot of folks do and as such, I am glad MGM has seen fit to release Reptilicus. MGM has released the film as part of the Midnite Movies line and that’s where it should be, I think. This disc has minimal value elements, but with a very low asking price, this release is more than recommended, those souls who love these bad movies, like myself.
Video: How does it look?
Reptilicus is presented in a full frame transfer. I have no idea what the intended aspect ratio is, but there is no visible pan & scan, so this could be the correct format. The image here looks better than prior editions, with a clean print used and a sharp overall visual sense. Of course, the print is not pristine and some grain is evident, but the image is cleaner than expected, to be sure. The colors seem to be bright enough, though not too vivid, while flesh tones are natural also. No contrast errors surface either, as black levels are well balanced throughout. I am pleased to own such a solid visual transfer of Reptilicus, as I am sure fans will be also.
Audio: How does it sound?
A basic mono option, which never sparks the ears, but handles the material well enough. The materials haven’t aged much here, as there’s minimal age related flaws present, such as hiss or harshness. The dialogue is sharp and at a proper volume balance, while sound effects & music are stable, as far as older mono tracks go. This won’t dazzle the viewers by any means, but it gets the job done and that’s enough. This disc also includes a French language option, as well as French and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
