A little better than 'Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001)', but definitely inferior to 'Tremors II: Aftershocks (1996)'. Even if none of these straight to video sequels reach the greatness of the original, it's still quite an enjoyable franchise that manages to storm up something refreshing for the viewer as the creators knew what they wanted. Helping out a lot was that most of the guys behind the idea (Ron Underwood, Brett Maddock and S.S. Wilson) were aboard, albeit writing, directing or producing. They were always involved in some way and they're love for it showed in their works. Also let's not forget that Michael Gross is the only one from the original cast to appear in all four as his energetically memorable gung-ho Burt Gummer. Well that wasn't entirely the case and this last instalment (to date) paints that out.
The fourth tremor film sees us transported back to what is a prequel. Set 1889 Nevada, in the small working town Rejection (yes before it was called Perfection). During one day nineteen miners are picked off in silver mine by some unseen creature (graboid) and this causes most the town to pack and leave. The owner of the mine Hiram Gummer (Burt's descended) arrives to an almost ghost town to hopefully rid the problem and re-open the mine.
Michael Gross's character is largely different to what was use to seeing. It surprises. But the change of character/personality to what he becomes and what we love about him is done very well because of Gross' sincere acting. Billy Drago is simply wonderful and a joy to behold in his short role as the gun for hire. The rest of the cast do a very capable job, but we know whose show it is any way. Yes Gross, but the graboids too. With a mixture of well-constructed CGI and terrific animatronics' puppets that do come off. With the crew favouring the use of the latter more often and for such a low-budget production is amiably crafted.
The plot structure (by S.S Wilson, Brett Maddock and Nancy Roberts) is dryly old-fashion monster fun on the western frontier that actually cares for its characters, pops in some consistent light humour and can rally pockets of suspense. Director S.S Wilson relax handling has a brisk and spirited flow to it.
The fourth tremor film sees us transported back to what is a prequel. Set 1889 Nevada, in the small working town Rejection (yes before it was called Perfection). During one day nineteen miners are picked off in silver mine by some unseen creature (graboid) and this causes most the town to pack and leave. The owner of the mine Hiram Gummer (Burt's descended) arrives to an almost ghost town to hopefully rid the problem and re-open the mine.
Michael Gross's character is largely different to what was use to seeing. It surprises. But the change of character/personality to what he becomes and what we love about him is done very well because of Gross' sincere acting. Billy Drago is simply wonderful and a joy to behold in his short role as the gun for hire. The rest of the cast do a very capable job, but we know whose show it is any way. Yes Gross, but the graboids too. With a mixture of well-constructed CGI and terrific animatronics' puppets that do come off. With the crew favouring the use of the latter more often and for such a low-budget production is amiably crafted.
The plot structure (by S.S Wilson, Brett Maddock and Nancy Roberts) is dryly old-fashion monster fun on the western frontier that actually cares for its characters, pops in some consistent light humour and can rally pockets of suspense. Director S.S Wilson relax handling has a brisk and spirited flow to it.