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Slither crawls from the mind of writer/director James Gunn (Dawn of the Dead) to goop up Cineplex’s all over the country. In this service to creepy, over the top, B-horror flicks, Slither tips the scales of crude disgust. This movie is foul on every level but, in a campy, sophomoric way. Like when you were a kid and you let slime drip from your nose to make the girls shriek and giggle. And they shriek and giggle even though they sort of dig the slime thing. Sad part is that I found myself giggling more than shrieking, in a manly way of course, when I wasn’t cringing at the gore.

I know you aren't supposed to try and dissect these type films. It’s like trying to bathe and shave The Grateful Dead. People followed them for who they were and it’s the same for this genre of film. Fans of cult horror B movies have their expectations and I sense that Gunn delivered on this one, even if it isn't for your normal mass audience.

Slither takes place in small town America where an alien life form imbeds itself in the human body of a wealthy resident, Grant Grant (Michael Rooker). Yes his first and last names are the same. Granted, he has more to worry about than unimaginative parents. This transformation doesn't set well with Grant’s wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks) who seems to be having doubts about her marriage anyway. When neighbors, pets and livestock begin missing, an all out manhunt commences for Mr. Grant. What they discover is mutated, night of the living dead, flesh-eaters infested by over grown slugs. Milk Duds anyone?

The search is led by Police Chief Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion) who has a two-fold reason for ridding the area of this problem. One, Grant is a mutant and two; Bill has long carried a torch for the lovely Starla. Fillion is best known for his role as Captain Reynolds on the TV show Firefly and follow up movie Serenity. He is a funny guy and does perfect deadpan delivery. I liked him in this role though it is hard to disassociate him from the Firefly series.

My main issue with Slither is the language. I understand that you have to have a little flesh eating and exploding body parts in this type of film, it
’s a given. But I don’t recall the language being as crude as this. And unnecessarily so. Over the years movies have proven you can have wit and
quick delivery while keeping the expletives subdued. Serenity was the perfect example. Plus I don't mind language as a character enhancement, say, on a hit man or rough inner city cop. But to have it for shock value and attempt at comedy is a distraction and disappointment. Even the song that plays during the credits has F-bombs falling like fall foliage.

I can’t recommend this movie at all and expect to sleep well at night. I am aware that fans of this style will go regardless, but I want to warn those average moviegoers to skip this one completely. If you are expecting an intense thriller or even something like the cleverly written Saw, this is not at all what you would enjoy.

Slither is Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, and language. There is no nudity though there are a few sexual moments between a husband and wife, both pre and post mutation. <shudders> I give it only 2 out of 5 tentacles. With a look at Slither, I’m Matt Mungle

The Mungle (matt@spin180.net)(3/29/06)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Along with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com"