It is what it is and if you’ve been waiting for the much anticipated battle of the 1980s pop stars intermixed with some truly awful CGI then Mega Python vs. Gatoroid is the film for you. The Blu-ray has an average video transfer, adequate audio and a minimal amount of features. This is the type of title that will comprise of a Blu-ray bargain aisle or bin.
Mega Python vs. Gatoroid (2011)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Comedy
Image | Not Rated – 91 min. – $29.97 | June 21, 2011
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Mary Lambert
Writer(s): Naomi Selfman (screenplay)
Cast: Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, A. Martinez
DISC INFO:
Features: Featurette, Trailer
Number of Discs: 1
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.78
Subtitles: None
Region(s): A
THE MOVIE – 1.5/5
The genetic/mutated reptile genre seems to be going strong thanks in large part to the Syfy network. On the heels of Sharktopus and another recent release from Roger Corman with Dinocroc vs. Supergator, we now get the match-up that has been in the making for nearly 30 years. No, it’s not the python vs. alligator but 1980s pop stars Tiffany and Debbie Gibson facing off.
Mega Python vs. Gatoroid tells the tale of two women: Terry (TIFFANY) works as a forest ranger bent on keeping the glades filled with gators while Nikki (DEBBIE GIBSON) is bent on freeing poor enslaved snakes, including pythons, into the wild in which they then basically eliminate the gator population.
In order to help Terry’s precious gators, she manages to get a hold of some illegal steroids and gives them a ton of the stuff which basically “Hulks” them out and they lay eggs with the super steroids then those are eaten by the pythons that also get the “Hulk” treatment. Soon enough the two species become overgrown and terrorize the streets and the two enemies must come together and, with the help of an American Indian hunter (A MARTINEZ), or something, they battle vicious gators, pythons and laughable CGI before it’s too late.
We all know what to expect from these Mutated Species vs. Another Mutated Species flicks (not to mention one’s made by The Asylum). You will get cheap ass visual effects of the animals and, in the case of Mega Python vs. Gatoroid, even CGI helicopters – the show “Las Vegas” had better CG – and some truly awful acting. Some find the campiness of these films to be endearing and a call back to the 1970s B-horror movies but for me they merely just terrible movies that aren’t funny and despite the short running times, are a chore to even get through.
Now, where I will give this film some props over something like Dinocroc vs. Supergator is this one doesn’t take itself nearly as seriously. Of course, it also has a duel 30 years in the making, however I’m more of a child of the 1990s and neither Gibson nor Tiffany were on my radar (sadly enough, MC Hammer was the music I listened to as a kid). Even so, the fight scenes between two former teen idol chicks now in their 40s will surely excite fans and is obviously the cornerstone to the film rather than seeing a bunch of poorly designed CG reptiles and snakes attack one another and an entire city.
Directed by Mary Lambert, best known for helming 1989’s Pet Semetary (and its sequel), Mega Python vs. Gatoroid doesn’t pretend to be anything else. You’re not going to pop in the disc (or turn on Syfy) and not know what kind of 90-minute crap-fest you’re in for. Personally, I don’t mind the occasional campy movie but it at least has to be funny and save for one scene (when announced at a formal gala for those with guns to use it against invading gators, nearly everybody pulls one out), it takes a lot to even get through and by the end, I was close to falling asleep as I couldn’t care less about what happened.
If you’ve enjoyed the other Animal vs. Animal flicks that air on Syfy then this might be the movie for you, otherwise you might find enjoyment from the Tiffany/Gibson catfight in which case you’d do well in just skipping to that scene.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.25/5
The disc contains an average Making-of Featurette (11:03; HD), a Trailer (1:48; HD) and previews for Wild Cherry, The Reef and The Resident.
VIDEO – 3.0/5
The movie is presented with a 1.78 aspect ratio and a 1080p HD resolution. Although the film looks alright on Blu-ray but it also is fairly soft and the colors are somewhat muted. I didn’t notice much in the way of pixilation or other flaws however.
AUDIO – 3.5/5
Similarly, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless track is serviceable enough as the dialogue levels are clear enough to understand, the screeches from the pythons before their kills have some depth to them and the gunfire, albeit flat at times, will sometimes reverberates in your home theater room.
OVERALL – 1.25/5
Overall, it is what it is and if you’ve been waiting for the much anticipated battle of the 1980s pop stars intermixed with some truly awful CGI then Mega Python vs. Gatoroid is the film for you. The Blu-ray has an average video transfer, adequate audio and a minimal amount of features. This is the type of title that will comprise of a Blu-ray bargain aisle or bin.
The Movieman
Published: 07/02/2011