Demonwarp

This film, while no film great (or even genre giant), is oddly entertaining. The acting and direction are pure mid-to-late-80's B-movie cheese, but somehow the ridiculously convoluted plot and hysterical performance by George Kennedy make this film a good time waster-especially if you've got a few friends who appreciate this sort of crap.

My review was written in March 1988 after watching the film on Vidmark video cassette.

"Demonwarp" is a moderately successful sci-fi/horror pic that could have used more sci-fi and less routine horror. Film is going out as a direct-to-video entry, presumably to avoid cutting its gory and sexy material to achieve a theatrical R rating.

A group of teens for the umpteenth time in the past decade is camping at a remote cabin in the woods, attacked by a Bigfoot monster (well-executed by makeup specialist John Buechler, but shown too often to be credible). George Kennedy's daughter was carried off by Bigfoot from the same cabin a while back and he shows up to help the teens fight the unknown.

Farfetched plot peg has Bigfoot turning out to be the creation of space aliens who landed nearby many years back. Pic climaxes with the aliens' stooges sacrificing nubile, topless Earth girls (Michelle Bauer and Pamela Gilbert) to their gooey monster boss. A corny multiple-nightmare ending sabotages much of the buildup effect.

Technically well-made, "Demonwarp" is ultimately an excuse to show off naked women (definitely prime voyeur material), gory makeup and some interesting monster garb. More creativity and less exploitation could have qualified for theatrical usage.

This overambitious, overlong, sci-fi/monster mish-mash, tries throwing in everything, including the proverbial "kitchen sink". The results are decidedly mixed. George Kennedy is the only semi-competent actor in the film., The hero is annoying and unlikable. The thankfully sparse dialog is completely inane. Finally, the wheels come off with an ending that makes even less sense than the nonsense that precedes it. However, the women are all attractive, and there are ample "boobs" on display throughout. Overall, this is nothing more than a chased in the woods affair. The bigfoot, who is frequently seen in daylight, and the alien/ zombie makeup, is marginally acceptable. It is interesting to note that the same cave featured in "Demonwarp" was used over 20 years later in another bigfoot related film, "Strange Wilderness". - MERK

Cyborg-vampire extraterrestrial overlords with giant scorpion stingers; shapeshifting Sasquatches on murder sprees; Zombie drones; Demonic cult sacrifices; and loads of totally unnecessary full frontal nudity...Demonwarp has a little something for everyone.

This is one of those totally bizarre, so bad it's brilliant, 80's schlock horror gems that never made it past a VHS release...though it is certainly due for an upgrade.

It starts off like you'd expect your standard "don't go into that part of the woods" film with bigfoots would. But by the time the end rolls around you find that you have been taking in something much more bizarre- and hilariously so!!!

For a while I was worried they weren't going to tie up all the loose ends that were subtly introduced in earlier parts of the film (like the crash of the spacecraft, and inexplicable zombie that makes an appearance half-way through). But alas, I was too quick to judge. I just needed to let it all play out...and when it does...it's gold, baby. Gold.

The overall style and acting are incredibly cheesy- albeit in the most entertaining way possible. Which only acts to compliment the b-grade aura exuded by this epic monster flick.

The special effects and gore tend to be hit or miss. Some parts are as bad as the acting...while others are actually quite well done (like the transformation scenes near the end).

Patently ridiculous storyline aside, the highlight of this production is definitely the monsters. They are actually pretty well done, considering the nature of the film and all. Especially the Bigfoot character...which is badass!

What starts off as a pretty standard "group of kids wanders into the wrong part of the woods" type film, quickly takes a turn towards the bizarre...and that's what makes it so great! The final twist is a bit cliché- but honestly, I expected nothing less. A true cult classic!!! Comes highly recommended.

7 out 10 for creativity and entertainment value. Though it probably deserves far less.

It is everything you would expect from a low budget 1980s movie about aliens that look like Bigfoot. Ridiculous fun, cheap effects and costumes, terrible writing, screaming. It's fun though! A real cheese fest.