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Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Synopsis: New Zealand-born Ellory Elkayem's EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS is a ridiculously irreverent romp that pays homage to American b-movies of the 1950s. Set in the nearly bankrupt mining town of Prosperity, Arizona, the film opens with the timely return of Chris McCormack (David Arquette). On the... New Zealand-born Ellory Elkayem's EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS is a ridiculously irreverent romp that pays homage to American b-movies of the 1950s. Set in the nearly bankrupt mining town of Prosperity, Arizona, the film opens with the timely return of Chris McCormack (David Arquette). On the outskirts of town, a spider-loving eccentric discovers that water from a nearby river has a steroid-like effect on his tiny creatures. Unfortunately, that's because it has been contaminated by a toxic substance. It isn't long before the now-monstrous spiders are terrorizing Prosperity's townspeople. Taking refuge in the Prosperity Mall, Chris and his fellow cohorts--the beautiful Sheriff Sam Parker (Kari Wuhrer), her kids Mike (Scott Terra) and Ashley (Scarlett Johansson), Deputy Pete (Rick Overton), and paranoid radio DJ Harlan (Doug E. Doug)--search for a way to destroy the gigantic monsters before they are destroyed. Handpicked by producers Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, writer-director Elkayem rises to the challenge. He successfully retains the lighthearted, low-budget feel of similar-toned 1950s classics (TARANTULA, THEM!) and merges it with a modern, big-budget aesthetic, to create an outrageously fresh contribution to the "mutant bug" genre. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scarlett Johansson, Scott Terra, Leon Rippy
Screenwriter: Ellory Elkayem, Jesse Alexander
Producer: Dean Devlin, Bruce Berman
Composer: John Ottman
DVD Info
Release:
May 10, 2004
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
- Single Side - Dual Layer
Additional Release Material:
- Alternate Ending
- Deleted Scenes
- Audio Commentary - 1. David Arquette - Star, Ellory Elkayem - Director
- Bonus Feature - 1. LARGER THAN LIFE (directed by Ellory Elkayem)
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
DVD-ROM Features:
- Game - 1. Spider Killing Video Game
Reviews
The enormo-spiders have exactly the right presence, but the movie fails in its hour of introduction; its townspeople are not funny, they're boring.
A gem of a movie - a genuine "eww-gross" schlockhorror that's also a great send-up for fans of '50s B-movies.
Flick your brain into neutral and let your nervous system be your guide.
There's something distasteful about a supposed 'B-movie' made with the financial backing of a major Hollywood studio and production company.
Fans of the Kevin Bacon action-comedy Tremors (1989) will feel right at home.
If you want to enjoy a campy but fun B-movie, then go with a real B-film . . . Don't fall for mainstream Hollywood's pale big-budget imitation.
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Around the Network
Eight Legged Freaks at IGN
Eight Legged Freaks at AskMen


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