MONSTER MAN

Adam (Eric Jungmann, NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE) is travelling across the deserted American highways, on his way to declare his unrequited love to childhood sweetheart Betty-Ann McAllister on the eve of her wedding.

Along the way, Adam realises his former college buddy Harley (Justin Urich, CARRIE 2: THE RAGE) has sneaked into the back of his car for the ride.

Initially reluctant to travel with his uninvited guest, Adam warms to Harley somewhat throughout their roadtrip despite the revelations that transpire during their journey - it becomes apparent that Harley slept with Betty-Ann on several occasions, and furthermore is also in love with her.

The main reason for the motley duo's ability to sweep previous gripes under the rug, however, is that they seem to have fallen foul of a disfigured JEEPERS CREEPERS-style psycho who drives a huge customised monster truck and seems to be intent on tunning the boys off the road.

Harley is the joker of the two lads, and after insulting the populace of a small-town bar by calling them rednecks, he further compounds matters when giving the aforementioned truck driver "the bird". Bad move. From hereon-in, the boys are living in fear of their pursuer catching up with them.

Adam can't even stop for a leak at a service station without being terrorised by the deformed trucker. And the less said about what happens to Harley while wet-dreaming in a motel room the better - let's just say it brings new meaning to the term "eating pussy"!

After escaping from the mad trucker a couple of times (and realising how dangerous he really is after witnessing a news report indicating the grisly fate of the trucker's last victim), the boys would be forgiven for sacking their expedition and retiring for home.

But no, they stick to their route (albeit there are several nods towards "wrong turns" and "hey, this place isn't even on the map"). They even manage to pick up gorgeous hitch-hiker Sarah (Aimee Brooks, THE HILLSIDE STRANGLER) along the way.

With no background to speak of but a figure to die for, Sarah is seemingly keen on helping Adam lose his virginity. Initially resistant (he's always loved Bettty-Ann, after all), Adam slowly warms to the idea while Harley can only look on in envy.

But, lest we forget, the mad trucker is never far behind - and, let's face it, in this type of film you should know better than to EVER pick up a hitch-hiker, now matter how cute they may appear ...!

The plot of MONSTER MAN treads familiar territory to recent genre offerings such as WRONG TURN, DEAD END and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake. But then, that's the point.

What's impressive about writer/director Michael Davis' film is that it lampoons the excesses of these films, turning cliches into jokes, while staying true to the audience-pleasing spirit of each one. It also delivers as much in terms of tension and gore as it does in the wry humour stakes.

Davis' script is sassy enough to know when to deliver the laughs, and when to throw a good thrill your way. It's a trtick that not many get right.

The acting is of a high quality too, with Urich impressing in particular. They guy gets all the best jokes, admittedly - but also can do shit-scared very well too.

And if it's gore you want - you got it. Not in the same league as the recent SWITCHBLADE ROMANCE or THE MANSON FAMILY, granted, but there's plenty more grue here than in the likes of WRONG TURN, CABIN FEVER etc. The FX (by MasterSFX) are prosphetic rathen than CGI, thank God ... and very cool they are too.

In fact, while MONSTER MAN is a derivative and frankly silly piece of filmmaking that has been seen and done many times before, it still pleases due to it's fast pacing, fantastic outdoor photography, endlessly enthusiastic performances and piledriving attitude of "too much is never enough". In other words, it looks great and hooks the viewer for what seems like a breathless 91 minutes.

The picture quality on Tartan's DVD cannot be faulted. Presented in it's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the film has been anamorphically enhanced for 16x9 TV sets. It looks great.

Audio is just as impressive, boasting nice beefy mixes in both 5.1 and 5.1 DTS, along with the film's original stereo soundtrack. All sound good and bassy, with the former of the three edging it for my liking.

Extra features include a fairly engaging 20 minute behind the scenes featurette, which includes onscreen interviews with director Michael Davis (8 DAYS A WEEK), and a very grateful cast. Beware of spoilers, as the final scenes are discussed openly.

The gag reel of bloopers is brief at 4 minutes, but does exactly what it says it does. Mildly diverting. Two trailers - an interesting "Storyboard" trailer, and the theatrical trailer - run for 3 minutes apiece. Rounding things is the ever reliable "Tartan Trailer Reel".

Review by Stu Willis