The first Spiders (2000) was a case of
lively idiocy which was fun to watch in an ironic sort of way. Its 2001
sequel, Spiders II: Breeding Ground is a case of dreary idiocy
which is a slog to watch. It is a sequel in name only and unrelated in any
other way to the first film except in that it also features gigantic
overgrown spider monsters.
Alexandra (Stephanie Niznik) and Jason (Greg Cromer) are a young
generically good-looking American yuppie couple (don't you hate them
already?). On their way to Hawaii in their private sail boat, the boat
capsizes and sinks during a bad storm. They are rescued by a huge cargo
ship that happened to passing by. However, all is not kosher on-board.
The cargo ship appears to be going in circles and the ship's radio, said
to be broken by the Captain (Daniel Quinn), actually seems to be working.
The crew is obviously hiding something ? but what?
And then there is the mysterious Dr. Gabec (played by Richard Moll whom,
if he seems familiar to you, it is because he memorably played court guard
Bull Shannon on the long-running TV sitcom Night Court). Later on
it is revealed that Gabec is your typical over-the-top movie mad scientist
type, performing experiments involving giant-sized spiders.
Gabec wants to use Jason in his devious experiments and it is up to
Alexandra to rescue him. Strangely enough the life cycle of the spider
monsters in the movie resemble more those of the alien in the
Alien movies than any spiders we might know
from nature documentaries. The Aliens
rip-off aspect becomes more apparent when we see the pods in which Gabec
stores his unfortunate victims/subjects ? I am sure the prop master from
the movie bought the ones from James Cameron's 1986
Aliens on e-Bay!
The climax is taken straight from Aliens as well as Stephanie
Niznik pulls a Ripley on us. Not only does she beat up several full-grown
sailors (in one memorable scene she attacks a sailor with the toothpick he
was nonchalantly chewing on!), she also outwits and fries several spider
beasties.
Spiders 2 illustrates what happens when film-makers with a severely
limited budget get too ambitious for their own good. When coping with a
low, low budget then keeping special effects and prop requirements to a
minimum is a good idea.
Where the movie really falls on its face is towards the end when said
cargo ship is being overrun by giant spiders ranging from Volkswagen
Beetle-sized ones to Alien face hugger
types. Here you can practically see the inert rubber beasties being
dragged along by pieces of string!
THE DISC: Like its predecessor this is a region-free PAL disc
distributed by UK-based Hollywood Ltd. Full screen transfer isn't too bad
though and the sound is clear enough. There's a trailer.
WORTH IT? No.
RECOMMENDATION:
Stay away unless you're feeling masochistic.
