When I first got wind of a remake of Piranha, it did not thrill me. I saw the original version as a child and all I can remember was being scared to go fishing at the local lake for a few weeks, especially after one was caught by a local fisherman a few towns over that summer in Lake Ronkonkoma on Long Island. It would not be the first time either, as one was also caught a few years ago in the lake. However, in real life, Piranhas rarely attack humans unless blood is in their waters. Still, it’s not a fish that I’d care to be swimming with and I think most agree.
The Piranhas in the remake, however, are a bit different as they are a species of piranha that existed long before the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The film has a nice setup on their origins of the species with Christopher Lloyd as a local pet shop owner with a knowledge of rare fish. The writers use the method of legend, such as the Lockness Monster and the theory that Nessie might be living in an under ground lake under Lockness. The same theory applies in the film, where an earthquake opens a hole between an underground lake under Lake Victoria where this species of piranha has survived for millions of years with no way out, until now.
The film starts with a cameo by Richard Dreyfus as a drunken fisherman in a small boat trying to catch something. When the earthquake occurs, his boat is dragged into a massive whirlpool where it flips over, he falls out and the newly freed piranhas make him them first meal. It is spring break and the lake is swarming with collage-aged kids all looking for a good time. Sheriff Julie Forester (Elisabeth Shue) is a single parent of three and is put in charge of taking scientist out to the quake site. While there, the piranhas attack and kill two of the divers. Julie knows that this is a big problem and that she must get everyone off the lake before more deaths occur. Meanwhile, her son, Jake, is hired by pornographer Derrick Jones (Jerry O’Connell) to take him and his crew to local hot spots on the lake to do some filming. Jake is supposed to be at home babysitting his young brother and sister, both of whom are also on the lake fishing. Knowing what danger are in the waters, Sheriff Forester has to try to get as many people off the lake as she can, while attempting to save her children.
Piranha is a film that takes all the clichés of a horror films and exploits them. Graphic gore, nudity, violence, sex, blood, guts, you name it, are all a very large part of this film. However, where many horror film solely rely on such content to entertain the audience, the writers of this film also give a large array of well-developed characters that we both root for, and root against. The storyline is simple yet, the content, the storyline, the characters and even the acting, effects, directing and sets all come together and make this film a good one.
The Blu-ray disc contains a few special features such as filmmakers’ commentary, deleted scenes with optional commentary, ten behind the scenes featurettes and a deleted storyboard sequences. It also can connect to the BD Live feature as well.
I am not one who cares for the cliché horror films that feature just gore and a lot of nudity and drug use. However, Piranha is a film that exploits those clichés, but does so in a way that works. The film is funny. It’s gory and it’s full of well known faces such as Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O’Connell, Ving Rhames and Eli Roth. Put all of your knowledge about what should be a great horror film behind you. Piranha is a film you have to go into saying you’re just going to have fun watching a movie. Get the popcorn and the soda, pop this one in and just have fun. It’s a sick and twisted movie, but it has a good story and it’s a complete blast. Enjoy!
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
