There are two types of alien invaders. Those that arrive in huge spacecraft and blow the crap out of historical landmarks. Then there are the ones that streak across the sky and crash into a field in some backwater town unnoticed. Except for a copulating couple who investigate with dire consequences. Slither’s alien falls into the latter category. Only when a mother disappears, and mutilated pets and livestock are discovered does Sheriff Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion) realise that something’s strange in the neighbourhood.
James Gunn’s feature directorial debut withered and died like a salt-smothered slug at the box office. It didn’t fare much better on DVD. It’s a shame as it’s a fun, and wonderfully gruesome film, filled with the blackest of humour and grossest of body horror scenes this side of Society. Fortunately, the comedy-horror has been revived by Australian label Umbrella Entertainment as part of their Beyond Genres series. Hopefully, Slither can now obtain the cult status it so richly deserves. Make no mistake, Slither is not original in concept, but it’s not supposed to be. Slither is Gunn’s love letter to B-movies. His references are deliberate. Invaders from Mars, Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, Night of the Living Dead, and The Thing amongst countless others are all paid homage. Characters, shops, and streets are all named after genre authors and directors. Slither could be watched numerous times and you’d still be picking up references.
This Blu-ray release is packed with bonus features although they are all from the original DVD release. The audio commentary with director James Gunn and star Nathan Fillion provides an entertaining listen. Fillion reveals a few amusing on-set anecdotes, and Gunn takes a deep dive into the obvious, and not so obvious films referenced. There are on-set talking heads interviews, which were standard extra fare during the early noughties, visual effects and makeup revelations (hardly any CGI, but plenty of latex) deleted scenes and a gag reel naturally. If you’ve ever wondered how fake blood is made then Gorehound Grill is for you and The King of Cult: Lloyd Kaufman’s Video Diary is also worth mentioning (his cameo met an unfortunate end). Slithery Set Tour with Nathan Fillion and Who is Bill Pardy? has Fillion running amuck with a camera.
Slither is a B-movie homage oozing with affection and a slimy underappreciated gem that deserves a lot more love.
Slither is available on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.
