The law of diminishing returns is called into play yet again for this second sequel to monster classic TREMORS. Unsurprisingly, TREMORS 3 was a straight-to-video release and it's a far cry from the excellence of the first film. It's not even as good as the second movie in the series, and really the only thing that keeps it watchable is the fact that many cast members return from the original. Not the big names, but actors and actresses like Michael Gross, Charlotte Stewart, Tony Genaro, Robert Jayne, and a grown-up Ariana Richards, who has developed into an appealing young woman.
Sadly the plot is as dry and devoid of inspiration as the film's desert setting. The emphasis is, inevitably, on a new species of monster. The first film had underground worms, the second walking monsters, in this film there are flying beasts (nicknamed, somewhat inanely, "ass blasters"). The CGI effects used to animate the critters are absolutely appalling, some of the worst I've seen – really bottom of the barrel stuff, and I'm usually charitable when it comes to such shortcomings. The plot shifts uneasily from one lifeless action set piece to another, with only a few genuinely good moments in between.
Trooper Michael Gross is good value for money and much of the entertainment generated by the on screen antics derive from his character. The bit where he gets swallowed is well achieved, for instance. But the last half hour of the film seems to take place in some disused rubbish tip (an apt setting, considering the nature of the movie) and the lack of budget is extremely apparent. The film seems aimed more at kids than its predecessors, and indeed was produced to garner interest in a short-lived TREMORS television series. The new actors – Christian, Chuang – are terrible and there's no sense of fear or terror as in the first flick, just laboured humour. Give TREMORS 3: BACK TO PERFECTION a miss – it's barely worth your time.
Sadly the plot is as dry and devoid of inspiration as the film's desert setting. The emphasis is, inevitably, on a new species of monster. The first film had underground worms, the second walking monsters, in this film there are flying beasts (nicknamed, somewhat inanely, "ass blasters"). The CGI effects used to animate the critters are absolutely appalling, some of the worst I've seen – really bottom of the barrel stuff, and I'm usually charitable when it comes to such shortcomings. The plot shifts uneasily from one lifeless action set piece to another, with only a few genuinely good moments in between.
Trooper Michael Gross is good value for money and much of the entertainment generated by the on screen antics derive from his character. The bit where he gets swallowed is well achieved, for instance. But the last half hour of the film seems to take place in some disused rubbish tip (an apt setting, considering the nature of the movie) and the lack of budget is extremely apparent. The film seems aimed more at kids than its predecessors, and indeed was produced to garner interest in a short-lived TREMORS television series. The new actors – Christian, Chuang – are terrible and there's no sense of fear or terror as in the first flick, just laboured humour. Give TREMORS 3: BACK TO PERFECTION a miss – it's barely worth your time.