Well, well, well... With this 2020 "Tremors: Shrieker Island" installment to the "Tremors" franchise, I must say that the series is definitely starting to get back on track after some less than overly interesting additions.
I found "Tremors: Shrieker Island" to be a rather enjoyable movie and a very nice addition to the franchise. Sort of a much needed addition to the franchise actually, to spice it up and make it great.
The storyline in "Tremors: Shrieker Island" is pretty straight forward, even for a "Tremors" movie. So you know what you are getting yourself into here, for better or worse. Well, at least that was the truth up to the surprise ending, which I hadn't foreseen. Of course I am not going to ruin anything here by spoiling the event, but it is something that you just have to watch if you have been enjoying one or more of the previous six "Tremor" movies.
The special effects in "Tremors: Shrieker Island" were good, and I really enjoy the way that the Graboids are look and have evolved. That is definitely some interesting thinking from writers Brian Brightly and Don Michael Paul. And again, that evolution just feels very natural to this particular franchise, as the Graboids have been evolving all the way throughout the series.
"Tremors: Shrieker Island" differs as in the movie plays out on a remote island that is set up to stage some specialized trophy hunting, like it or not. I found it to be an interesting spin on the story. And I definitely enjoyed how director Don Michael Paul managed to squeeze in a very distinct "Jurassic Park" and "Predator" feel to this 2020 "Tremors: Shrieker Island" movie. At one point I was actually convinced that they put in a predator, given the setting, the environment, the heat vision thermal sights and the sounds that they used.
As for the movie's cast ensemble, well it was - needless to say - a thriller to have Michael Gross return to reprise the role of the iconic Burt Gummer character. And I was especially thrilled to see Richard Brake in the movie, he was just perfectly cast for his role, and he delivered a rather good performance. Initially I was a bit skeptic of having Jon Heder in the movie, but he actually surprised me with his performance, as it was good and actually complimented Michael Gross's performance quite well, I had feared that he would fluke out like Jamie Kennedy did in the 2018 "Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell".
Visually then "Tremors: Shrieker Island" delivered, and if you are a fan of the franchise, then you will most definitely enjoy what you are presented with in this 2020 movie. It was just pure eye-candy for us fans of the franchise.
The ending of the movie, take it or leave it as you will, sort of have me conflicted. Was it a good way to end the movie? Personally I didn't really find that ending enjoyable, but I guess it had to come sooner or later. The big question is then, does it put a stop to the "Tremors" franchise in the future? I certainly hope not, because the movies, campy and cheesy as they may be, are actually wholesome entertaining.
My rating of "Tremors: Shrieker Island" is a six out of ten stars. This one is definitely a franchise fan pleaser and a step in the right direction for the franchise - in my opionion. "Tremors: Shrieker Island" is well worth the time, money and effort. So watch it.
