Razorback Review

Razorback is an Australian film released in 1984, involving a gigantic wild Boar terrorizing the Australian outback, killing and devouring people. The film was directed by Russel Mulcahy, who would later make the first two Highlander films.
The movie is based on the novel by Peter Brennan. While Jake Cullen(Bill Kerr) cares for his grandson in the Australian outback, a massive Razorback boar attacks him, destroying his house and killing his grandson. He is accused of murder and his dignity is destroyed. Two years later, a wildlife reporter, Beth Winters, journeys to the outback to document the hunting of Australian wildlife to be used as animal food, processed in a large factory, but she is attacked by two deranged locals, Benny and Dicko, who leave her to be killed by the beast. Her husband, Carl(Greggory Harrison), goes in search of her, and aids Jake Cullen and his young associate, Sarah Cameron, in hunting for the razorback responsible for her death. This movie was so much more appealing to me when I was younger. It's not the worst movie I have seen but it is not the best by far. The effects were OK but nothing to write home about. The only part of the boar you really get to see is the front, which reminded me of American Werewolf In London. Too bad Rick Baker didn't work on the puppetry in this film. The acting was very sub par and mostly unbelievable. The bright spot was Bill Kerr who brought real passion and emotion to his role of a grieving Grandfather hell bent on revenge. It's sad that his talent was wasted on this film. The other characters are mostly forgettable, even our final guy and girl. I would have expanded more on the origins and habits of Boarzilla instead of focusing on boring minor characters and nauseating dream sequences. The dvd itself is bare bones which normally I would complain about but I might have fallen asleep if I had to watch a making of for this film. I have seen much better films come from the land down under, Patrick being the most notable. I give Razorback a 4/10. If you have nothing else going on than I would say pop this in but don't go out of your way to watch it.