Movie Synopsis: The residents of a rural mining town discover that an unfortunate chemical spill has caused hundreds of little spiders to mutate overnight to the size of SUVs. It's then up to mining engineer Chris McCormack and Sheriff Sam Parker to mobilize an eclectic group of townspeople, including the Sheriff's young son, Mike, her daughter, Ashley and paranoid radio announcer Harlan, into battle against the bloodthirsty eight-legged beasts.
Now for The Zone's Eye View
By Laura Alber
Director: Ellory Elkayem
Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Terra, Scarlett Johansson, Doug E. Doug, Rick Overton, Leon Rippy, Matt Czuchry, Jay Arlen Jones, Eileen Ryan
"Eight Legged Freaks" is less a serious horror movie about giant spiders, but more of a parody of all the other flicks that have already been made about every insect or animal out there. This is not a traditional horror film, or even a traditional comedy, but just a plain "silly" movie. No surprise they would cast David Arquette in the lead for such a silly and quite frankly, ridiculous film. The only real saving grace was the role of Sheriff Sam Parker played by the beautiful Kari Wuhrer.
Chris McCormack (Arquette) returns to his hometown of Prosperity, Arizona to take over the family mines, much to the dismay of several money hungry businessmen wanting to secretly use the mines for a toxic chemical dump. The problems arise when a shipment of the chemicals falls into the local pond, which just happens to be right near the towns "arachnid authority", who happens to be Sheriff Parkers son's older friend, as he is also a "spider enthusiast". When Mike (Scott Terra) discovers his friends workshop covered in webs and the remains of his friend still on the floor, he calculates the growth rate, and tries to convince his mom, the Sheriff, of what is happening in the town. No big surprise that no one believes him. Giant spiders invading the town? Seems a bit far fetched, but they soon turn to
young Mike for advice when they discover he's right.
The town also has a Mel Gibson Conspiracy Theory type character, named Harlan (Doug E. Doug) who lives in a trailer complete with radio tower access to broadcast his theories and warnings. He of course believes the giant spiders are actually aliens, and Chris gets tired of fighting him on it, and just finally lets him believe what he wants to as long as he will help fight them off. Harlan is actually the funniest part of the film. His paranoia steals the show!
The whole town is terrorized by the now giant sized spiders and running for their lives, some not making it too far. The remaining townsfolk arm themselves with whatever they can find, lock themselves in the town's shopping mall, and wait. Lots of gunfire and explosions ensue, spider chases, cocoon webbings, and other various dilemmas are present. The animatronics of the spiders are very well done, and very lifelike surprisingly. In the end, it just comes down to a fun, silly movie that's been enjoyable to watch. After seeing many previews, I never thought I would say that, but after having seen the flick, I caught myself laughing too many times not to give it credit. The Zone rates "Eight Legged Freaks" a 4 out of 10.
