THE TERROR WITHIN (1988)
Director: Thierry Notz
New Concorde

Man, what could be wilder than an over-the-hill and overweight 1988 George Kennedy commandeering a tiny crew of holocaust survivors in an underground science lab of the future? This alone makes THE TERROR WITHIN worth a look.

Andrew Stevens (son of Stella Stevens -- who was given a role in the sequel to this mess when her son wrote and helmed it) is the hero who must battle a gruesome gargoyle thingie that roams the laboratory. These predators are seemingly what's left of life from the outside world and they're bent on impregnating human women whenever they can get their claws on them. It's after a female survivor from above is taken into the lab and her belly rips open to reveal the oozing monstrosity that Kennedy and Co. realize what they're dealing with.

Produced by esteemed horror maestro Roger Corman, THE TERROR WITHIN is yet another in a needless line of ALIEN copycats. It was very strange to find such a cheap and shoddy exploitation cheapie like this playing at movie theaters in the late 80s, even if it only lasted for a weekend. But it's harmless and enjoyable enough for what it is, and while nothing you haven't seen before comprises its 90 minute running time, the taste left in the mouth is one of an extra gory 1950s-type B flick. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Come to think of it, they didn't make 'em like this anymore THEN.

This mediocre DVD really shows how spoiled we've become by this glorified format, though. Not only is this picture presented in mere full screen, it's high on grain and the colors look washed out and weak to boot. Much like watching an ordinary videotape, minus the glitches. The sound is nothing to rave about either, but it gets the job done. (Joe Lozowsky)

BACK TO REVIEWS

HOME