The crew of the ship “Remus,” on a mission on “Morgantus,” mysteriously disappears. The first master of Xerches then decides to send another ship, the “Explorer,” to search for any survivors.
Once landed, the members of the “Explorer” will be barbarously killed one by one by monsters. The last of them will be forced to head for the great pyramid that jealously guards the terrible secret of the planet “Morgantus” and its monsters...
The back of the dvd (on which, however, they did not put back the cover of the old vhs, which was very intriguing; precisely a drawing depicting a woman threatened by two huge monsters) reads... “one of the most cult titles of the new World”...: an advertising definition that is finally apt. It may be a B-movie, but we are talking about a film that is less stupid and naive than it may seem. It should be regarded as a heartfelt homage (by means of various quotations and references) to the old science fiction (literary and cinematic) that was (a result later duplicated with “Monster,” another homage to the genre's past; again by Roger Corman).
Impossible not to notice a reference to the old but ever-present “Forbidden Planet,” in connection with the so-called “id monsters,” which would, in a single night, wipe out the entire Krell civilization. The idea of fears that kill is well developed here, though somewhat grotesquely at times (limited to their mere materialization or realization) but curious; a fairly logical explanation is given (fears in addition to the function of testing the temperament and abilities of the astronauts also have another very important function that is clarified only at the end of the film). Another blatant reference is to ‘Alien“: ”first and foremost“ for the setting (the planet, with the exception of the ship wreckage and the big black pyramid, looks like a perfect reconstruction of LV-426; the same for the spaceship interiors very similar to those of the ”Nostromo,“ but more illuminated; considering that the film was made on a very low budget, this results in a credit to the special effects department) and not only to that one would say. The pace is brisk and there are practically never any dead moments, and this, for a self-respecting fantasy-horror, is essential because it keeps viewers glued. Of course, good subject matter also benefits the achievement of this result.
The story unfolds extremely quickly: there are no inconsistencies, gaps or forcing of any kind; not even moments for explanation or reflection, except for the ending. One might say a familiar subject (usual spaceship landing on hostile planet; consequent simplistic clash between humans and aliens) but up to a point, because the further one goes, the more surprises increase that make us abandon this preconception. As a whole and in its short duration (less than 80 min), the film seems well packaged and all its components well dosed: suspense, dialogue (always brief, never trite or predictable, and above all never out of place) and special effects; everything exactly as it should be. Nothing is out of place, no element is inserted just to “make density,” but for a specific reason, however functional or indispensable to the unfolding of the story.
The only flaw is limited to one scene: the one in which Cabrin consoles Kewod; a bit pathetic though brief enough not to spoil anyone's party. The special effects are very well done. The use of the mythical and nostalgic stop motion and that of “dear” miniatures are notable. Some famous scenes, so to speak, are: that of the “worm” or that of the monster lurking in the corridors of the great pyramid. Although the cruelest death is, without a doubt, that of Alomira inside a tunnel of the great pyramid (for those suffering from claustrophobia certainly not the best). Excellent that such original monsters are followed by equally varied and cruel deaths (how then to forget the gratuitous and cruel, as well as derisory tripping done to Beilon, by “his monster”) .
Where money can't money can ideas, of which this film is full: it gives the impression of reading one of the first novels in the urania series, exactly the issues before 100, always able to amaze and fascinate, awakening the reader's imagination. So does this little film; it amazes. The cast is interesting: among others we would like to mention Robert Englund, Sid Haig, Zalman King and Ray Walston. Other well-known names are involved in the project: director of the second unit a very young James Cameron, and in production the legend Roger Corman, the king of the B-movie. How to make a Mr. movie without spending but only with good ideas, worthily exploited and represented.
Review of decker
