This marks the start of my delving into the Tremors franchise. This original is the only one of the seven films to date that I’ve seen before. I’m confident it’ll stand up to a rewatch, but I’m also expecting it to be the high point. Val (Kevin Bacon) and Earl (Fred Ward) are hicks. Double denim, cowboy hat sporting hicks, but they’re a loveable pair, doing odd jobs in the middle of nowhere. Which is where Rhonda (Finn Carter), a student studying seismology is finding weird readings out in the desert. They live in a little hamlet called Perfection, population 14. See what I mean, nowhere. Those 14 include a colourful cast. Burt (Michael Gross) and Heather (Reba McEntire), a gun loving couple. Walter (Victor Wong) who owns the only store and Melvin (Bobby Jacoby), a young lad who has the misfortune to be growing up here. The isolation is soon to be the least of his problems. Some seem happy in Perfection, like Nancy (Charlotte Stewart) and her daughter. Val and Earl though, they want out and so pack up the truck and make a break for it. They don’t get far though. Y’see, they may be the only people about… but they’re not alone. Soon, what was a sleepy town is the epicentre of a brilliant monster movie. It does what any good monster movie should. Tease, with little signs that that point to something scary on the horizon, but Tremors keeps its power dry magnificently. It helps I guess that the monsters are underground. Val and Earl though see something is happening and soon enough, so do we as giant worm creatures with snake like tentacles terrorise the trapped town. It’s more graphic than I remember and I can see why it terrified me as a kid. There are casualties on the way, but bloody hell is it fun. From the elephant-gun toting Burt and Heather making home made bombs, to Val and Earls heroics, it’s a wild ride and just when you thought you had its number, it hits another delightful gear. It takes all the charm of a B-Movie but pairs it with a simple but truly great story and a disarmingly brilliant cast, make a fantastic film that’s not only aged remarkably well, but may be more enjoyable than ever. Wonderful stuff, it’s certainly worthy of a few sequels… but are they as good?
9/10
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