10/25/09

The Navy vs. the Night Monsters

(mini-review)

Some movies have a way of burrowing deep within the tapestry of cult classic cinema. 1966's The Navy vs. the Night Monsters is one such movie. I can't remember how I stumbled upon this one, but I'm glad I did. Sort of. I'm proud to own it, but it's not exactly a keeper. The plot concerns a scientific expedition in Antarctica. What other type of expedition could it possibly be? Plant life is inadvertently shipped to a Navy base where the sadistic seedlings come to life and attack whichever poor schmuck happens to be standing in front of one of the perverse perennials. Jesus, my alliteration is out of control. The cruddier the film, the cruddier the review...is that how it works?

Anyway, I don't have much to say about Night Monsters. The script seems lively at first. The dialogue is relatively sharp and the characters are likable. Halfway through, the film arrives at a standstill. It takes way too long to get to the mutant tree mobocracy. I almost nodded off during the third act, but I snapped out of it when one of the "night monsters" ripped a guy's arm off. Priceless. Believe it or not, this drive-in cheapie might have influenced Alien. No shit! The verdant goblins bleed acid. There are a couple of scenes where the blood burns a hole into the floor. Coincidence? Probably, but I thought it was interesting. Oh, and in case you're wondering, the Navy wins. Spoiler alert! Oops, too late. Sorry for ruining the movie for you. You'll get over it.

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