Growth (2010) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2009
Director: Gabriel Cowan
Cast: Mircea Monroe, Christopher Shand, Brian Krause, Nora Kirkpatrick, Richard Riehle, Mackenzie Brooke Smith
Rating: -
Release Date: 7 September 2010 (DVD)
Running Time: 1 hour 28 minutes

The Movie Review

Growth film still 1


GROWTH
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

Parasites are something extraordinary creepy that I'm sure everyone doesn't want anything to do with them. But Parasites are good source of terror for horror filmmakers that know how to wrap it with something shocking and amusing for the audience. Parasites, whether you like it or not, are something following mankind's life, and I don't think it will be obsolete in the horror movie realm. I popped in Growth with fairly low expectation, and I was surprise for its content. But I was both in a good way and in a bad way.

Jamie Ackerman (Mircea Monroe) inherits a US $ 2 million worth of land in a secluded island called Kuttyhunk with population of only 421 residents. An Island where such horrific experiments were being conducted and resulted in chaotic results. Jamie brings along her family and friends, Marco (Brian Krause), the loner step-brother Justin (Christopher Shand of Hit and Run (2009)) and the seductively naughty Kristin (Nora Kirkpatrick). It's such a mundane day they're having but when Kristin is jogging through the woods, she suddenly notices a group of natives wearing creepy black suits chanting something eerie. And someone is watching her intently. But with each person is busy with themselves, they could hardly notice what's really happening on that island. The truth is, parasitic worm-like creatures are the major problem in this island, and the people responsible are hiding their secret closely by not welcoming any strangers. What will happen to Jamie and her friends?

Now, speaking from the good side first.., Like it, I just like it. Never occurs in my mind it would be something this fun. Of course, it's cheesy fun with a bucket of popcorn is a mandatory staple. But, this horror movie successfully combining the suspense, stereotype characters, the gore, and the disgusting shocks ala 70's. And choosing an island where the scenery is both beautiful and eerie is always a welcome in my book. If it's handled correctly it would be a great set for a horror film. On the core, Growth falls to the animal gone wild subgenre. And it has a lot of cheesy entertainment for the lovers of the genre. Just beware though, the scenes are graphic, not graphically sadistic, but the kind that would give you the willies. What I object is the use of CGI compared to the similar movies in the 70's, but at least, it's good enough to give us the illusion, besides the parasites have this typical guttural sound that the fans of the genre might instantly like.

However people, don't instantly buy a copy of this horror film, it has a bad side, a disappointing one more precisely. Growth opens with a cool opening credits with good song in it. And it continues with intriguing storyline. But after all the secrets started to be revealed then everything goes downhill fast. The source of flaw, the confused script and the wooden-as-the-trees-in-that-forest performance of Mircea Monroe. Her unconvincing performance really lessens the tension the story has been built, she was far better in No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker (2008). The best performance is from Nora Kirkpatrick who delivers broader range of expression and helps the scenes flowing, she should've been in Mircea's position. And btw after the ending credits role, there's an extra scene, it gives better dramatic ending.

All things considered, I still like this movie, at least the pace is tight, so I didn't get bore viewing it. There are also a bit gory fighting scenes, although feel bit out of place, but still entertaining. But horror fans won't get too much of nekkidness here, only a brief shot (not from the lead actress). Anyhow, for the fans of the genre it's a solid rent, but I personally didn't regret buying it.

>Go on a trip to the islands of massacre: Surviving Evil (2009), The Seamstress (2009) and Pinata: Survival Island (2002).

>Follow this slimy trail: Squirm (1976), Slugs (1984), and of course Shivers (1975).