I hadn't seen any of the low-budget horror aficionados Larry Cohen's movies (besides his "Masters of Horror" episode), and that had to be changed. I picked up his most famous, a cult horror flick that spawned a small, forgotten franchise, and a pretty bad, rightfully perished remake. All I knew was that it's a movie about a baby monster, so I was ready for cheese and goofs, however...
Comedy this is not. "It's Alive" starts with a husband and wife heading to hospital, excited to see the face of their second son, only to eventually shriek in horror as the baby turns out to be a mysterious monster, who slashes the nurses and dips. So far, not very serious, but as the movie progresses, the monster baby takes place behind the forefront drama focusing on the darkness of an American family. Director Larry Cohen has created a thoughtful script, where the focus, as it would be in most similarly plotted movies, is not on the deformed baby and his murders, but rather the family at the center of town's turmoil. Film's strongest anchor is John P. Ryan, who gives an effective, devoted and tormented performance as the father fighting his inner demons, being responsible for his murderous offspring and all. "It's Alive" works best when Cohen takes empathetic turns, and, actually, the action/murders are the sores here, choppy and underwhelming. It's not often when drama is what makes a horror movie good.
Perhaps the sum of it all is too silly to truly touch you, or creep you out, but altogether it's a horror film that holds up thanks to its heroes. 6/10.
Comedy this is not. "It's Alive" starts with a husband and wife heading to hospital, excited to see the face of their second son, only to eventually shriek in horror as the baby turns out to be a mysterious monster, who slashes the nurses and dips. So far, not very serious, but as the movie progresses, the monster baby takes place behind the forefront drama focusing on the darkness of an American family. Director Larry Cohen has created a thoughtful script, where the focus, as it would be in most similarly plotted movies, is not on the deformed baby and his murders, but rather the family at the center of town's turmoil. Film's strongest anchor is John P. Ryan, who gives an effective, devoted and tormented performance as the father fighting his inner demons, being responsible for his murderous offspring and all. "It's Alive" works best when Cohen takes empathetic turns, and, actually, the action/murders are the sores here, choppy and underwhelming. It's not often when drama is what makes a horror movie good.
Perhaps the sum of it all is too silly to truly touch you, or creep you out, but altogether it's a horror film that holds up thanks to its heroes. 6/10.