Electra

Where does one begin in trying to describe this movie? Even as over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek movies go, this is an experience that is particularly hard to describe. First off, this film is not for everybody, as I'm sure many people would have a problem with the major sexual tension between stepmom and son. For those of you who are not offended, prepare for a ridiculous plot, hilariously bad fighting scenes, and some truly abysmal out-takes that were rescued from the chopping room floor for our...um...pleasure. This film is SO bad, in fact, that it's almost worthwhile. If you thought that only Ed Wood could make films so bad that they're funny, then this film proves you wrong. I saw this film alone, and found it to be funny at times. Watch this film with a group of friends, and you'll probably enjoy a laugh riot.

While cruising the cable movie channels before bed, I saw "Electra" coming up. I saw that the film was dated 1995 and so assumed it was an earlier, not-talked about version of the story of the Marvel comics character. Not being too familiar with the story, it took some time for me to clue into the fact that this film was something entirely different. Something quite shocking, frankly.

The expression "train wreck", where you can't pull your eyes away from something so terrible because of a perverted sort of pleasure, this movie lured me in and kept me watching. I was laughing at several points in this movie, and was even slightly disgusted at other times. However, I continued, watching the twisted metal as it piled up and began to buckle.

It is a fairly interesting psychological exercise to watch this film and try to imagine the thought processes behind the ideas in the film. If psychology is not your cup of tea, an equally enjoyable time can likely be had from watching this movie after a few beers. The thought processes are simply bizarre and the film jumps from one scenario to the next at a lively pace. Nothing about the film is formulaic or predictable.

I cannot in good conscience give this movie a 9, even though for me the experience was magical, simply because I expect some people would be unable to keep watching. If you are ready to see a ridiculous flick (think "Killer Tomatoes" but with the humour strictly unintentional), and can stand the raunch, this film delivers high train wreck value.

Shannon Tweed should really stick to soft-core erotica, because this "superpowered" film isn't that good. The premise alone is icky: Shannon plays Electra, woman trying to seduce her own stepson so she can get her incestuous hands on some type of super-hero formula that was injected into him. Ew! Meanwhile some paraplegic businessman named Mr. Roach (the lamest villain EVER!) wants the formula too. So eventually Roach becomes taken with Electra and HER magical abilities (the superhuman ability of being a slut) and teams up to take down Joe, the stepson and his cute but sensible girlfriend. The sad part is that despite lamely choreographed fights straight out of "The Six Million Dollar Man", obvious special effects, and a tacky subject matter, it's STILL a better film then Superman 4 or Batman & Robin. Barely. So fans of both DTV action films and fans of Shannon Tweed's rack will get some guilty thrills out of this poorly done, yet entertaining fare.

Seriously, someone needs to be taken out and shot for this movie. It's funny, I checked it out, this movie wasn't even shot in Watertown, NY like it said it took place in. The acting is so poor. Shannon Tweed adds to her horrible career in B-Movies. To sum it up, it is about a moral (and cheesy looking) teenager who holds in his blood serum for eternal life. It can only be taken from his body and given to the bad guys through sexual contact. And since the main character is attracted to his widowed step mom, how better for the evil people to get it, than to have mother and son engage in an act of perversion. However, I must say, despite my lack of respect for this movie, that it is a must see because it offers the viewer such unintentional comic relief.

Roach, the powerful man who owns a company trying to attain world domination is so pathetic. The women commandos, who are supposed to be the warriors of this international corporation, are clad in leather, and instead of driving in limos, the all powerful Roach people ride around in a van with the name of the company painted on it. I'd honestly rather watch flies engage in incest than watch this movie a second time. But, I'm glad I could get some laughs off of it.

Any lover of 50's 'B' movies should tune into this ridiculous, over-the-top, bad-taste film which despite everything is great fun to watch. Shannon Tweed may be limited in her acting range, but for entertainment value give the girl a gold suspender belt in recognition for her services to cinema.

'Electra' concerns a wheelchair-bound (and therefore emasculated) megalomaniac called Roach, who seeks world domination in a James Bond-villain kind of way. He needs a serum which can be passed on sexually and Shannon Tweed's step-son Billy (whom she fancies) has the serum in him and they both become the target of Roach's henchmen (and women - there are two particularly appealing, erotic but deadly, kickboxing female assistants).

The plot is relatively tight and everything reaches a climax with Shannon Tweed becoming Electra and fighting her stepson's girlfriend for his bodily fluids. Roach meets his demise with an exploding head finale (like Scanners), and everything trundles along happily to a selection of out-takes before the final credits.

First rate entertainment - anyone who slates this film should have their video taken off them - they don't understand the meaning of fun.

BEST SCENE - Billy's girlfriend has a fight with two leather-clad girls, ripping the heart out of one of them !!!