In the post apocalyptic 1992 in order to keep control of the populace, the Merchants force Dr. Paul Dean to create a parasite. The doctor realising its deadly potential goes on the run studying the parasite so that he can find a way to destroy it.
Director Charles Band (of the excellent Puppet Master (1989)) offers a plodding film, with the terror scenes few and far between. The small town setting feels like an episode of the Dukes of Hazard, The Fall Guy or the A-Team and sandblasts Mac Ahlberg's cinematography of any atmosphere. With a Planet of the Ape (1968) vibe Richard Bands music hits all the right notes, along with with some of the parasite effects which notably Stan Winston had a hand in designing and creating.
Robert Glaudini does a great job as Dr. Paul Dean, Demi Moore does her best with the overkill trio of writer's basic dialogue as Patricia Welles. Band is on a directing high is when he's borrowing elements from Alien (1979) and an exploding fuel tank from James Bond movies.
Maybe it would have fared better in a Western setting with cowboys instead of gangs and a mad scientist rather than the 80s doubling for the post atomic disaster 1992 with a small town and a fast sleek car.
Overall, fanatical horror B-film fans may get something out of this, even those curious about the handful of effects or Moore's early role.
