The Space Rodent — The Space Rodent (Blu Ray)

From last year, The Space Rodent is a low-budget mix of comedy, sci-fi, and horror- really in that order. Set-in small-town America, on Halloween day/ night- it focuses on two thirtysomethings couples, and their encounters with jabbering, red eyed wolf aliens. It’s a fairly gore-less affair, the alien creature effects bring to mind a very cheap mix of the invaders from Attack The Block and Critters. Though the space effects are neat, and we get a few moments of tension/ fear, but really the most rewarding element here is the character interaction/ humour. Here from SRS Cinema is a Blu Ray release of film.

The film is directed, co-written, and produced by Jason D. Morris. To date he has ten features to his name, though at present he has another four films in production. His features include 80’s VHS like horror throwback Hell House: The Book of Samiel

( 2008), monster stalking through the fog horror Collapse ( 2005), and forest set sci-fi/ thriller/ horror Dark Winter (2018).

After the quite neat space CGI footage, and rocket whizzing through space. We meet of four main characters/ two couples- the red hoody wearing/ in between jobs Mac(Robert Carrera) and his rather fed up with him other half Amanda( Leah Bernard). And bespeckled & obsseed with aliens Dean (David L. Minard), and his other half Skylar(Shelby Broadnax). The women are going out to a party, while the men are planning a night in drinking scotch and watching old series of Ancient Aliens.

But as the women of driving off, and the men are trying to settling in getting insults from older teenage tricker or treaters.There’s a flash in the sky, and something crash lands- as several of these small, burning red eyed, and manically jabbering wolf creatures appear.

As things unfold we get a few incidents of very cheap looking gut ripping’s, one of the creatures ejaculates all over Dean, and we get a few creatures stalking folk scenes. This element of the film is a guess ok, as there is some decent tension/ suspense- though are aliens are clear wolf puppets been throw at the characters, and the gore effects are very roughshod/ cheap. Oh, and there's a larger alien- who looks like someone in a bad werwolf suit. Though were the film does shine is the chemistry between the characters, touches of bumbling humour, and nods back towards music culture and film from the late 80’s- the Nine Inch Nails mention in particularly had me chuckling.

The Space Rodent is a just fine comedy & sci-fi blend- with light touches of horror- I’d say you’ll most certainly be after the former, instead of the latter to enjoy whats on offer here.

Moving onto the Blu Ray, and we get a few extras. First off, we get a commentary track from director/co-writer/producer Jason D. Morris. This is a interesting/ entertaining enough directors track. He starts off talking about the on the Space Rodents planet scene- which apparently was filmed by himself and his wife in a cave. He points out refences to other films/ Tv series in background of shots. We find out the main house the were filming in got boiling- though it was shot in the winter. He talks about how he’s known both of the leads for a few years. We find out they had issues with the drone, and that the film was scripted- but the actors did adlib. Later on he talks about the day for night shooting. He discusses his love of MacGyver, and chats about his big plans for the last scene- which didn’t quite come off as expected.

Otherwise we have: Cast Interviews ( 34.28). First read through ( 2 hours one mins). The Slate Rodents (3.20).Film reviewed (4.17). Test shot ( 00.06). Uk films Podcast (12.51). And a few other trailers, and things.

If you like comedy and science fiction blends, with light horror touches I’d say give The Space Rodent a go.