FILM REVIEW: "Razorback"

RAZORBACK (1984)

***

Directed by Russel Mulcahy

Based on the novel by Peter Brennan
Written by Everette De Roche

Starring

Gregory Harrison (“Carl Winters”)
Arkie Whiteley (“Sarah Cameron”)
Bill Kerr (“Jake Cullen”)
Judy Morris (“Beth Winters”)

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

When a prominent animal-rights activist goes missing in the Australian outback while covering the slaughter of kangaroos for the pet-food trade, her husband goes after her and finds a grotesque, monstrous razorback boar stalking the wilds.

WHAT WORKS

The characters are drawn with fairly bold strokes, but they work very well within the context of the story. I liked the old razorback hunter who lost his grandson to the giant boar during the opening credits; he’s a Captain Ahab-like character, and he definitely adds something interesting to the story. The grieving widower also worked very well; I actually found him to be a more enjoyable character than his wife. I especially appreciated the fact that the film had a male horror hero.

The human villains in this story are almost unspeakably vile, but like the heroes, they, too, add something good to the story. They die fairly horrible deaths, but those deaths are well-deserved.

The cinematography is striking, depicting the outback as a harsh, flat, vast landscape that overwhelms both man and beast. The minimalist electronica music score is also evocative and effective, adding to the primal, surreal, and alien look of the film’s setting.

The climax of the film is quite tense, and it will probably have most viewers on the edge of their seats.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK

The animatronic boar, while very well done, occasionally looks like just what it is--a fake latex animal. The scenes where the boar literally tears apart houses in order to reach their human occupants are over-the-top. It adds a strange, dream-like quality to the film that is perhaps intentional, given the fantastic scenery and bizarre supporting cast of characters.

THE FINAL WORD

Overall, this is an interesting 80’s horror film that features a pretty good cast and one mean pig. See it if your local videostore has it. I only wish that it had as lavish a DVD release in the States as it does in its native Australia... I don’t even think it’s even hit the DVD format over here.

"Razorback" on IMDB.

"Razorback" on YouTube: the trailer.