Tremors (1990)

You like your monster- or horrormovies a little off kilter and totally different from the majority?

Look no further.

(Disclaimer: I really like this one.)

Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are handymen in a town that is basically dead. In a secluded valley, cut off from the rest of the world, lies Perfection; 14 inhabitants total. Life is simple and that suits most of the people here fine. But the one day, strange things start happening. Unexplained seismic activity coupled with several people disappearing leads to the discovery of giant underground worms of some sort. They are carnivorous and hunt by listening to the sounds we make while walking. How do you get away from something like that?

Granted, it might be a short description, but that is the plot.

So we have already established that concerning plot, there is not a lot going on. It is a monsterfilm after all, you don't need that much heady exposition. But why is this one worth a watch whilst so many others can be ignored?

Several reasons.

For starters, the characters are so lovable and engaging. You have the store owner, who is always looking to make an extra buck; there's a couple who are total gun nuts; a spunky geology student who first notices strange happenings and especially our heroes: Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward. They work really well as a duo of friends. You buy that they've been together for a long time and their dynamic just flows really smoothly. This makes you feel a lot more sympathetic to their plight. If you only have cardboard cutouts or bland characters, you wouldn't care one bit if they die. That is often the problem with films where supposed teens are beset by monsters: usually they are so boring that you root for the creatures to finish them off. Not here.

The monster is also really original and they try new things with this premisse. Sure, it all got a little diluted with the numerous sequels (as is often the case), but at least for the first two outings, they spiced things up. And how creepy is something that you can't run away from, because then it will hear you and attack?

And maybe something that is often forgotten, but is so refreshing for a film of this kind: nearly everything takes place during the day.

Yes, this is a horrorfilm that has almost everything happen in broad, harsh daylight. And it works!

What also is a good thing, is the humour. Sure, things get tense from time to time, but there is always some levity spread throughout it all so it never becomes too heavy or depressing. That being said, even after seeing this one for the umpteenth time and knowing it by heart, there are still parts that get my blood pumping and I still tense up. Now that means that whatever you think of this, it is well put together.

If you desire a different type of monster film with the right amount of tension, fun and exhilaration, then this is one for you. Enjoy! (but tread lightly...)