This low-budget indie flick shows its roots with production values that seem about 10 years or so out of date, including a muddled sound design and fuzzy image quality. Despite bursting out of the gate at the start, the plot often struggles with pacing; the direction often comes off as weak and lethargic. In fairness, this seems to be the first of only two credits in any regard for filmmaker Douglas McKeown - and for that matter, most everyone in the cast or crew have few if any other credits to their name. It shouldn't be too surprising, then, that the dialogue tends to be gauche; that acting is at many times stilted, unnatural, and less than completely believable; that the picture has problems with internal consistency (a character is covered in blood in one moment, and in the next, they're barely touched). Funnily enough, it's effects supervisor John Dods who seems to have the most experience of anyone involved, and it should be said that the contributions of Dods and his collaborators are without question the most outwardly successful aspect of 'The deadly spawn.' The creatures and all the blood and gore are unmistakably fake, yes, but at that, all the nastiness looks fantastic (in accordance with suspension of disbelief), and should scratch the itch of any fan of monster movies.
Of course the film pales in comparison to most any other horror sci-fi flick one could name, that rather goes without saying. Yet if one recognizes the nature of the production - the lack of major financial backing, the inexperience of those involved, the earnest desire nonetheless to craft a violent romp of a genre flick - then this isn't half bad, and it even becomes kind of fascinating. There's no denying that it still has problems, but a great deal of sincerity and hard work went into making this, and for all the indelicacies and inelegance, the result is much better than not. Why, it's definitely far better than many genre flicks, even major studio projects, that have followed in the years since. Again, Dods' effects absolutely stand out, not least at the climax. Apart from the dialogue, McKeown's screenplay is reasonably solid; the scene writing and narrative are straightforward, but completely, compelling, and fun. (Ah, that ending!) While a little heavy-handed and club-footed, McKeown's direction is decent enough, and the cast put in fine effort. It's clear everyone on hand just wanted to have a good time, and they quite succeed in passing that on to the audience; what more could one want?
Even with faltering audio, the sound effects are executed well; the original score teeters on the fine line between "enjoyable and lending atmosphere" and "blunt and over the top," but like so many other aspects here comes across as more capable than not. At no point could one make any mistake about what they're watching; at its worst and at its best, it shines through what level 'The deadly spawn' is operating on. Faults and all, however, this is ultimately entertaining, and its deficiencies just become part of the tapestry. I'd hardly say this is essential, but if you have the chance to watch it, 'The deadly spawn' is a good way to pass 80 minutes. Recommendable particularly for fans of creature features.
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