The fourth film in the Tremors film franchise, but actually a prequel, is surprisingly a whole bunch of fun. That is on proviso you have any sort of affinity to Westerns. Plot whisks us to the Wild West and finds the residents of Rejection Valley in a battle against the creatures that would become known as Graboids. The link to the future Tremors movies is once again Michael Gross, here playing Hiram Gummer. Gummer is a weasel business man type who is forced to confront his moral compass and set it for future generations of Gummer's.
Cult hero Billy Drago is on hand to up the fun quota as Black Hand Kelly, a hired gunman with a laid back attitude and a draw as quick as the best of them. For period flavours it's well stocked by director S.S. Wilson, for Western fans the clichés are as enjoyable as the costuming and town dressage. Problems here for Graboid fans is that there is a very long wait for things to really kick off into creature feature territory, and then it's evident that the effects work is not top line stuff. This goes some way to explaining the film's mediocre ratings on internet movie sites.
In spite of its straight to video status and modest production budget, "The Legend Begins" does look fantastic on photography terms, the colour lenses spot on for the Wild West setting and the Bronson landscapes and cave systems look terrific, cinematographer Virgil L. Harper deserves a right good pat on the back. cast performances are a mixed bunch, but there is nobody bad here, all members, led by Gross, are fully committed to making the material work. Things invariably get pacey for the big finale, which is in keeping with the series, although all things considered it's not a barnstormer of chaotic creature feature conventions.
Loads to like for Western fans with a bent for some "B" movie schlock, hardcore Tremors fans, though, are sure to be frustrated. 6.5/10
Cult hero Billy Drago is on hand to up the fun quota as Black Hand Kelly, a hired gunman with a laid back attitude and a draw as quick as the best of them. For period flavours it's well stocked by director S.S. Wilson, for Western fans the clichés are as enjoyable as the costuming and town dressage. Problems here for Graboid fans is that there is a very long wait for things to really kick off into creature feature territory, and then it's evident that the effects work is not top line stuff. This goes some way to explaining the film's mediocre ratings on internet movie sites.
In spite of its straight to video status and modest production budget, "The Legend Begins" does look fantastic on photography terms, the colour lenses spot on for the Wild West setting and the Bronson landscapes and cave systems look terrific, cinematographer Virgil L. Harper deserves a right good pat on the back. cast performances are a mixed bunch, but there is nobody bad here, all members, led by Gross, are fully committed to making the material work. Things invariably get pacey for the big finale, which is in keeping with the series, although all things considered it's not a barnstormer of chaotic creature feature conventions.
Loads to like for Western fans with a bent for some "B" movie schlock, hardcore Tremors fans, though, are sure to be frustrated. 6.5/10