Mosquito, also known as Blood Fever, is a 1994 American science-fiction horror film directed by Gary Jones. This B-movie, with its blend of campy horror and sci-fi elements, has garnered a cult following over the years. Here’s a detailed review:
Premise
The film’s plot revolves around a small town terrorized by giant, mutated mosquitoes. The cause of this mutation? An alien spaceship crash-landing nearby. The mosquitoes, after feeding on the alien’s blood, transform into monstrous, bloodthirsty creatures. A group of survivors must band together to stop the swarm. The group includes a park ranger, her boyfriend, a quirky park employee, and a survivalist.
The Good
- Practical Effects: One of the film’s strong points is its use of practical effects. The giant mosquitoes are brought to life through a combination of puppetry. Stop-motion animation and other techniques are also used. The mosquitoes, while not always convincing, contribute to the film’s atmosphere. These effects, though dated, contribute to the film’s B-movie charm.
- Campy Fun: Mosquito doesn’t take itself too seriously. It embraces its low-budget nature and delivers a healthy dose of campy fun. The film is filled with cheesy dialogue, over-the-top action sequences, and some truly absurd moments.
- Cult Appeal: The film’s blend of horror, sci-fi, and camp has earned it a dedicated cult following. It’s a film that’s often enjoyed for its flaws and its willingness to be unabashedly silly.
- Cast: The cast includes Gunnar Hansen. He is best known for his role as Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It also includes Ron Asheton, the guitarist for The Stooges. Their presence adds to the film’s B-movie appeal.
The Bad
- Low Budget: The film’s low budget is obvious throughout. The special effects, while charming to some, can also be quite laughable. The overall production quality is typical of a mid-90s B-movie.
- Acting: The acting is uneven, with some performances being more wooden than others. Yet, in a film like Mosquito, the acting often contributes to the overall campiness.
- Plot: The plot is fairly predictable and derivative of other giant monster movies. It doesn’t offer any major surprises or innovations.
- Pacing: At times, the film’s pacing can be slow, with some scenes dragging on longer than necessary.
Overall
Mosquito is a B-movie through and through. It’s a flawed film, but it’s also undeniably entertaining. If you’re a fan of campy horror movies or giant monster flicks, you enjoy it. You will also enjoy it if you just like watching something that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Mosquito is right up your alley. Its low-budget charm, practical effects, and cult appeal make it a memorable, if not exactly “good,” film. It’s a fun, cheesy ride that knows exactly what it is.
To read the rest of my Monstrous Movie Reviews, just click HERE! If you want to add this classic to your film library, click on the Blu-ray movie cover below.
