Its not like were watching a huge budget production here, but they did well with what they had. Granted, the Sheriff with a Phd was a little too convenient, a hobby in snakes would have been better. BUt this is a classic monster flick like 8 Legged Freaks or Lake Placid. It doesn't need to have an Oscar quality script, its meant to be fun. I was glad to see Michael Shanks in it though, I had missed him after Stargate was over. The acting in the movie was varied. Several of the performances were WAY over the top. I did originally watch this hoping for a superhero flick starring feedback, and was disappointed that he was just a cameo. I enjoyed the movie as a whole, found it pleasantly hokey and entertaining.