Film Review: Birdemic – Shock and Terror (2010)

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SYNOPSIS:

A platoon of eagle & vultures attack the residence of a small town. Many people died. It’s not known what caused the flying menace to attack. Two people managed to fight back, but will they survive Birdemic?

REVIEW:

We often flock to the ridiculous and the absurd (pun intended). In some cases these films go on to become or have a sort of cult status. I believe the film BIRDEMIC – Shock and Terror was intended that way but really is just another poor b-grade movie.

I probably would have higher expectations if this were just left as is rather than trying to spurn a media frenzy on the film, however you have to know before embarking on Birdemic that’s it simply pure cheese. Cutout birds, poor CGI (if any) and cookie cutter 2D animations are littered over the screen on top of live action. Combine that with cheesy smoke clouds and past in bombings and you wonder who was behind the terminal making the decisions that “that” looked good. So I’ll take the obvious route and say that this B-grade impression was intended. Though it doesn’t take any viewer too long to realize they’ve been had with a environmental message campaign disguised as a horror film.

Global warming, polar bears dying, birds migrating ….peace, yep its all in there in a not so in obvious way. But all that aside we have at the heart a boy meets girl story. In fact it’s painted on like a dream situation. Boy meets model who lands a gig with Victoria Secret. Boy is successful, becomes a millionaire thru his company stock options and also start as 10 million funded business. The 2 hit it off and everything is perfect. That is except the annoying 2D birds that have decided to attack there small town of Half Moon Bay. It’s got silicon valley written all over it, a bay area mentality and a local town support impression. The film was inspired somewhat by the film “Birds” and even includes a cameo of Tippi Hedren.

Directed by James Nguyen I’m wondering if the film caught on in its own capacity or just promoted due to clever media finagling. The film does has a certain charm though. Maybe its in the boy meets girl relationship, the happy endings or the cheesy bird overlays. I’m not so sure but this one is sure to end up someday on mystery science theater. The film stars Alan Bagh in the role of Rod with Whitney Moore playing the lovely Nathalie. Whitney can’t do any wrong with her charming smile, hot body and striking appeal. Alan, on the other hand seems like perhaps his “perfect” boyfriend package is a front for something a bit more on the player side.

Regardless, the build up is a segue to lead us into cheesy bird scenes which this film has plenty. Eagles no less! The funniest parts are the birds getting shot which drop to the ground like posters falling off a wall. The applied bird scratch makeup also is a bit of a stretch for the dead bodies laying around. In fact, I didn’t know that a bird scratch on the face could kill you??

The reviews on this film waver from extremely poor to “this is the best film ever”. Well those positive reviews are more a marketing ploy as this film will find its place but wont be winning any awards any time soon.

The whole film doesn’t really add up to much except a beer gathering make fun of film. If the purpose was to promote the end to Global warming, I think most audiences that would rent this probaly wont care too much about the message. I’m not going to take the fun away by saying don’t see this, I think viewers should give it a chance. Just know the level of production your getting into.

Good times with bad times…Birdemic is cheesy B-grade fun.

Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010)