Razorback (1984)

I would advise anyone who has not watched this movie, and thinking about it, to do so, but only if you can handle scary movies! If you haven't watched the movie and hadn't planned on it watch it anyway. This is the only movie that has ever given me nightmares. I love this movie,one of my top three movies! I love the fact that its not what you would expect from the very beginning. As soon as you turn it on, you will be glued to the television screen until the very ending. And I will warn you that you are going jump out your seat and cover your eyes at times. But you will also laugh hysterically at some scenes. I would give an example but to me talking about any scene will ruin it for you... JUST WATCH IT!

Fmovies: I first saw this film over 20 years ago and it has remained a favourite of mine ever since.The plot is a little bizarre but the performances and cinematography are excellent in evoking a nightmare world of loss,desperation and pain.I wouldn't automatically bracket this film as a "Horror" at all but more a violent depiction of loss and the need for revenge.The grandfather obsessively searching for the Razorback is brilliant-pain,loss and terrifying determination.For me the only down is the ending which I felt strays into "schlock horror" territory too much.It could have been much better and more interesting in keeping with the rest of the film but,overall,it doesn't do the film too much harm.Quirky,bizarre,nightmarish and crazy-nice one.

The best thing about this Australian production is Russell Mulcahey's direction which gives this admittedly doofy material a veneer of class. (Although he does have a tendency to overuse the fog machine.)

What this film has going against it however is Gregory Harrision's ineffectual performance as the "hero". I remember him spending most of the film getting beaten up and/or falling down.

If this had focused on the "Moby Dick" aspect of the storyline, that has a grizzled old man searching the outback for the killer boar that killed his baby, it would have been a bit stronger in the storyline department. As it is now, it's OK.

Razorback fmovies. Razorback marks one of Australia's only successful forays into the horror genre, but it's certainly not without it's critics. It's negative reaction isn't unfounded, as Razorback is badly acted, has a trite script, utilises any number of clichés and has an overall 'deja vu' sort of feeling; but in spite of this, it still succeeds in being a fine piece of entertainment. A wild boar isn't the first animal you would think of to star in it's very own creature feature; but the idea actually works quite well, and it makes a nice change from the usual barrage of sharks, crocodiles and whatnot. This feature is also notable for it's special effects, which certainly aren't groundbreaking - but it ain't half bad either. In films such as this, it's usually shabby effects that end up letting it down; but the creature in this movie is surprisingly realistic! The plot is a familiar one, and it basically follows a gigantic wild boar that's on the loose somewhere in Australia. It's not exactly intelligent stuff, but it's a lovely premise for a fun ride.

The film is directed by Russell Mulcahy, and it was made a year before he would have his big hit with Highlander. His direction is solid enough, and it's notable for the way that he captures the locations within the Australian outback. Some of the shots are truly breathtaking, especially the atmosphere ones that are filled with smoke. One thing you will notice about the plotting of this movie is the way that it swaps through different characters for it's main protagonist on numerous occasions. This is both a help and a hindrance to the movie as, on one hand, it ensures that the film stays lively and exciting; it also restricts the viewer from placing their confidence in the character as we don't get to spend a lot of time with them, which hinders it when it comes to the tension building sequences. This also makes the plotting of the movie inconsistent, which certainly isn't a good thing. One thing I love about Australian cinema is the way that it captures the accents and dialect, and this film is no exception to that trend. It's a lovely tongue to listen to, and that helps to make this movie more of a pleasure. On the whole, this film won't win any awards; but there's worse ways to spend ninety minutes of your life.

This is one of those film that I decided to track down and buy because it was such a hoot. Great atmospheric scenes, a bit of gore and plenty of humour. I love it and I only paid £4.32 incl postage !

There's a lot of tricky night-time filming and very realistic killer pigs - if that hasn't hooked you then I doubt this film is for you. If you liked American Werewolf in London, get this and you won't go wrong.

I don't want to be accused of padding but do an internet seach and you will always find great ratings for this film - it just seems to slip beneath the radar for most reviewers which is a shame because it deserves to become a classic for all the right reasons. Please add your comments if you agree - but remember to make it at least 10 lines OK

One striking shot follows the next in this monster B-movie, and the overall tone of the visuals is beautiful, I think. And there is some thick, intense atmosphere. In those departments it's so stunning that the many flaws can't ruin the film. The acting is OK all in all but there are some moments that make you want to put your head through the next wall. The action scenes and especially the ones with the razorback, a huge boar, are more or less comprehensible in that you get the basic idea of what's going on but all the crucial scenes happen between cuts, so the editing is jumpy, kind of like a TV edit. The worst example is the movie's finale and the destruction of the monster, which after an exhaustingly loud, dark, monotonous battle between man and monster plot-wise also ends on a ridiculous and schmaltzy note and so the film leaves you with a bad aftertaste. But those visuals, man, those visuals... It's kinda like a more extreme 'Alien³'. Worse plot, more stunning visuals. What else could I do but consider this a new B-movie favorite?