SLIME CITY MASSACRE opens in the late 50's where we are introduced to Zachary Devon (Robert C. Sabin), who runs a soup kitchen and apartment building. Zachary offers a young prostitute a good meal and a place to really belong.
Fast-forward to 2009 and a dirty bomb is set of in New York City. Seven years later the city (Slime City as it has now been renamed) is a wasteland inhabited by scavengers and other assorted nasties. Into this arrive fugitives Alexa (Jennifer Bihl) and Cory (Kealan Patrick Burke). They seek shelter in a seemingly deserted building. They quickly learn the place is inhabited by two hardened squatters Mason (Lee Perkins) and Alice (Debbie Rochon). Mason and Alice agree to let Alexa and Cory stay only because of a set of skeleton keys that Cory holds in his possession. Mason and Cory head out into the wasteland to scavenge for food, The pair find the ruins of Zachary's soup kitchen. Within they discover a stash of "home brewed elixir" and "Himalayan yogurt".
Taking their haul back to their hide-out the four proceed to devour their find. Fortunately and unfortunately the combination of elixir and yogurt has both a sexually side effect and a slimly side effect. The sex is hot but the slime most be appeased!
First let me state that I love this film though I'm a little bit biased (which I'll get to later)! I had the lucky experience of viewing a screening in Pittsburgh and then attending a Q & A after wards with Actress Debbie Rochon and Wirter/Director Greg Lamberson.
As of late I've found myself longing for films like the ones back in the 80s when a glut of fun and unique videos crowded the shelves. Filmmakers (read independent) seemed to want to make good films that were enjoyable and unique. (Of course the video market signed it's on death certificate because of that glut. And sadly to this day the Hollywood machine keeps churning out the same product over and over with a new name.) And that is where SCM achieves high marks The film looks like it was made in the 80s and not simply a retro look either. While this film has the feel of 80s horror and touches of 70's Sc-i-Fi, it never comes across as derivative of those works. Not only that but Lamberson's SLIME CITY MASSACRE is filled with wonderful levels of dark tongue-in-cheek humor (love those brains!).
There will be some that will be disappointed that the gore level is not massive, as in SLIME CITY. The effects work quite well for the most part (there's tongue scene that falls a little short). But there are others that work perfectly: Alice's dismembered face floating in a tub of orange slime, crawling slimy brains, broken bottles shoved into eye sockets - brilliant!
While the story is well crafted and the visual aspects top notch, what elevates SCM as a film above even big studio productions is the caliber of acting found within. All the main actors play well off one another. There are names here many genre fans will recognize (such as Lloyd Kauffman) but there were numerous names I sadly didn't know. But I know them now and will give their other films a chance solely based on their performances in SCM.
Now the biased part: Debbie Rochon. I think, and have for many, many years, that she is a highly underrated Actress. I said Actress, not Scream Queen. Sure she can scream but she is one hell of an Actress too. Much better than the tripe that are named in Big Studio productions. And she shines here. The dismembered face scene alone could have degenerated into simply a cheesy, laughable bit that was quickly dismissed. But not so due to Rochon's ability to convince you that the events playing out on the screen are very real. Its called acting folks - look it up!
While this is a sequel to Lamberson's 1988 classic SLIME CITY and contains some inside jokes for fans of that film (along with subtle nods to other 80s horror and sci-fi), you don't need to have seen the original to enjoy SCM. I think that is a part of the genus within the film. If you've seen SLIME CITY you'll want to see this. And if you haven't seen it you'll find yourself running out to purchase the original.
If you're a fan of 80's style horror, the original SLIME CITY, Debbie Rochon or just damn good entertainment, do yourself a favor and see this film! I know I can't wait to see it again.
Philip R. Rogers
