DVD Artwork
Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) is in the spotlight once again when the Argentinean government calls Burt in to slaughter a herd of vicious Shriekers (two-legged Graboids). He does so with gusto and live on television no less! After the job is done he heads back to Perfection Valley and the small town life. Small is probably an understatement though. Perfection Valley sports a population of exactly…5 people.
Back in Perfection, things just aren’t the same. Chang’s Store is back up and now run by his daughter, Jodi (Susan Chuang). She’s got the place crawling with Graboid merchandise and aspires to branch out into a chain of Graboid themed stores. Jodi is just as ready to exploit the Graboids as her Father was in the first film. Also returning from the first film is Nancy and Mindy Sterngood. Nancy is aging and Mindy is now a hottie forced to drop out of college to maintain the bills. Little Melvin also returns as an assclown land developer looking to buy out Perfection Valley for condos.
Burt’s a bit taken aback by the changes but he’s disgusted when he finds out there’s a sleaze named Desert Jack (Shawn Christian) whose scamming people on a Graboid tour in which his partner sets up Graboid sightings. Things are a bit out of sorts but Burt feels confident his new anti-Graboid, underground barrier will keep him safe.
Bad things happen though when the worms decide to reappear, eat Desert Jack’s partner and start chasing townsfolk all over again. This time they’re not trapped in the Valley and Nancy Sterngood calls in the government. The agents promptly restrict the residents of Perfection Valley from harming any Graboid as they’re considered an endangered species. If any worm is harmed they threaten to use Eminent Domain and confiscate the land and everybody’s homes and businesses.
Fortunately, two of the agents are killed and the survivor is mortally wounded. Before he gives up the ghost though he warns them that the Graboids have “changed”. Burt believes he’s talking about the Shriekers until they come across shedding similar to those a snake leaves behind. Lo and behold, the new life form reveals itself as a Shrieker but with wings and the ability to fly. How does it fly you ask? Well, it would appear their Graboid juices are highly combustible and when they’re exposed to air there’s a small explosion. In other words, they fart and fly. Yeah, great evolution there.
These new Graboid creatures are basically the last stage in a worm’s life cycle. The worm hatches from an egg, eventually evolves into a Shrieker which then eats and multiplies. These Shriekers then shed their skins to reveal wings. These wings and explosive asses propel them away from their turf in order to lay eggs…which then turn into worms. Interesting and yet idiotic.
Here’s my problem with this film…it was crap. Not only do they cannibalize bits and pieces from both Tremors and Tremors 2 but they don’t even attempt to be creative in this installment. They even dub the new life forms, Ass-Blasters. Huh? This had my kid screaming with laughter, I was less then amused.
The acting was great for the budget and the returning Michael Gross’s character Burt is distinct enough but he never truly aspires to leading man status. He just feels like a supporting actor. Perhaps it’s just me but some of the dialogue was horrid. We get goofy lines like “butane butt blastin’ ass”, “rocket butts” and “Ha! Ass-Blaster! Blast your own damn ass!” This is far from the only groan worthy tripe offered up.
One last problem with this film, for me, was the CG. I mean…does any reader out there know whether CG costs less than latex monsters and puppets? The CG was passable but wholly unnecessary. I’d reconsider purchasing this film on its own.
