← Back to Reviews
in
This is the warning uttered by one of the characters of this horror film. It could also be what James Cameron said when he found himself at the helm of it. But it could as well be my realization as the film progressed. Because as flawed as the first Piranha might've been, it was never boring. This, on the other hand, is trouble.
Piranha II: The Spawning is set in a Caribbean resort that finds itself in trouble as genetically modified, flying piranhas start attacking. Meanwhile, diving instructor Anne Kimbrough (Tricia O'Neil) and her estranged husband, Steve (Lance Henriksen) do their best to stop them.
The reasoning behind the attack or why were the piranhas genetically modified doesn't matter much. It all serves as an excuse to have more women skinny dipping in dangerous waters, while comically fake piranhas absurdly fly through the air attacking unsuspecting victims.
It has been said that the production of the film was troublesome, with original director Miller Drake being fired as principal photography began. Executive producer Ovidio Assonitis promoted Cameron, who was the special effects director, to director but apparently kept on meddling on the film thus hindering the end result.
Would it have worked better if Assonitis hadn't put Cameron and company through so much trouble? We'll never know. The truth is that the script is mediocre, performances are weak (with only Henriksen coming out mostly unscathed), and the pace is clunky and uneven. The result is a film that's just dull, boring, and mediocre.
Grade:
PIRANHA II: THE SPAWNING
(1981, Cameron)
The first film from any director you like
(1981, Cameron)
The first film from any director you like
"Oh my God... Allison! Words can't describe the trouble we're in."
This is the warning uttered by one of the characters of this horror film. It could also be what James Cameron said when he found himself at the helm of it. But it could as well be my realization as the film progressed. Because as flawed as the first Piranha might've been, it was never boring. This, on the other hand, is trouble.
Piranha II: The Spawning is set in a Caribbean resort that finds itself in trouble as genetically modified, flying piranhas start attacking. Meanwhile, diving instructor Anne Kimbrough (Tricia O'Neil) and her estranged husband, Steve (Lance Henriksen) do their best to stop them.
The reasoning behind the attack or why were the piranhas genetically modified doesn't matter much. It all serves as an excuse to have more women skinny dipping in dangerous waters, while comically fake piranhas absurdly fly through the air attacking unsuspecting victims.
It has been said that the production of the film was troublesome, with original director Miller Drake being fired as principal photography began. Executive producer Ovidio Assonitis promoted Cameron, who was the special effects director, to director but apparently kept on meddling on the film thus hindering the end result.
Would it have worked better if Assonitis hadn't put Cameron and company through so much trouble? We'll never know. The truth is that the script is mediocre, performances are weak (with only Henriksen coming out mostly unscathed), and the pace is clunky and uneven. The result is a film that's just dull, boring, and mediocre.
Grade: