Movie Review: Growth (2010)
Let me start this review with a small question. Do scientists really have these fancy islands somewhere in the world where they can all get together and plan tomorrow’s world?
To be honest, I have seen enough films with instances of this to know that it must be true (films say so). Anyway, Growth is another example of why I write this blog. Not to discover the best horror films but those which don’t cost an arm and leg to make, don’t boast the biggest Hollywood stars and above all else show real promise.
It seems that the only thing Hollywood can put out in this genre is sub-standard remakes and rubbish exorcist rip-offs (for the record, the original was rubbish too) but within the world of low budget independent horror, we find a great deal of “promise” and every now and then we do find those little gems which makes it all worthwhile.
To be perfectly honest, Growth is not without its charm but sadly it lacks a little sparkle. The story starts in 1989, the residents of Cuttyhunk island are experimenting with parasites in an attempt to help speed the evolution if humans along. They hope to create healthier, stronger and smarter humans. Unfortunately something goes wrong and most of the islanders are killed. One of the survivors was Jamie, a young girl who was sent to safety after the death of her mother.
Twenty years later and Jamie is returning to the Island in order to sell of the land she has inherited. Little does she know that something even worse is about to be unleashed upon this small island!
As far as the films storyline goes, it pretty much puts a tiny twist on the alien parasite movies such as Slither and The Faculty. It is not terribly original but as a whole, it has its moments. For the most part, the cast are rather good. Mircea Monroe plays the aforementioned Jamie. Christopher Shand plays her step brother and unfortunate host, Justin. While Brian Krause, Nora Kirkpatrick and Richard Riehle round off the cast.
While Growth does have its moments and a few glimmers of hope, the whole feel of the film is rather poor. Zero characterisation besides the lead and a very slow pace with absolutely no suspense let the whole thing down. A word of note must be made regarding its special effects, which were excellent when you consider that the whole film had a reported budget of just $300,000. A very modest sum of money to make something that if nothing else, looks good!
Taking into account all of its drawback and its positive points, Growth doesn’t quite reach the heights that maybe it should have done. If only someone had believed in it a little bit more and pushed some more coiffeurs into the purse. Unfortunately, they didn’t but never mind, what we have is an acceptable little thriller. If you want a creepy or gory horror film, stay away but if you can find it for £1 (Like me) then I would say give it a watch, you might like it.
Released: 2010
My Rating: 4
