DEAD ANT (2017)

DEAD ANT (2017)

Tagline:  Nope.

(Comedy, Horror, Giant Ants Will Eat Your Face) [R]

NOTE this movie was not given an MPAA rating but would have definitely been an R. 

This one takes place in 1989 after a washed-up one-hit-wonder glam band named “Sonic Grave” decides to play a concert in the middle of nowhere called “Noachella” (rather than Coachella because they couldn’t get on that concerts line up). Apparently, they have been on this trip before because they decide to stop at a store and get some Peyote (knowing they could get some there) to see if they can come up with the perfect comeback song. They are told if they take it and harm anything in nature they will be cursed. The curse ends up being giant freakin ants after one of the band members kills an ant. Can they outlast the curse and where are all the shirts…who stole all the shirts?

This movie was also known as GIANT KILLER ANTS and oddly almost every piece of trivia you can find on it seems to be wrapped around the ridiculous opening scene. I don’t want to get too much into it, but if you are expecting a lot of nudity in this b-grade comedy horror, all of that is coming in the first 10 seconds or so of the movie. It’s really out of line and complete nonsense, but for some damn reason, they crammed it in here. It also looks like they shot two different versions of the opening scene because the one we are shown the previews, isn’t in the actual movie. Unless they are using that for certain networks that censor more? I have no idea. 

Sadly Sean Astin is in this, and his role is pretty much more of an embarrassment to his career than his role in 50 FIRST DATES. I love Sean, but they did him wrong in this movie. I should also say if you are a fan of his, maybe skip this, he’s only in it for about 15 minutes. I will say that he is given one pretty funny line in this that is a nod to one of the biggest films he’s ever done. 

The band themselves is actually not totally horrible and reminds me of some of the personalities I ran into growing up during the glam-rock era. I have even met the band members of KIX who two of the songs in this movie are borrowed from (“Don’t Close Your Eyes” and “Blow My Fuse”). The actual KIX band seemed nicer than these guys. I am not a huge fan of Tom Arnold, but he plays the band's manager in this. He has some pretty funny lines and some extremely Godophobic lines which were not only uncalled for at the moment in the movie they are said but added nothing to plot or discourse. Jake Busey plays a band member named Merrick and is actually quite good in the role. I can’t stand him most of the time, but he’s solid here. Cameron Richardson is just okay in this and plays a character named “Love”. She is likely best known for being in OPEN WATER 2: ADRIFT. Leisha Hailey plays a no-nonsense character in this named Stevie who is actually one of the more level-headed characters in the movie which isn’t saying much. She can also drive under pressure which is super rare for a horror movie. Rhys Coiro plays the band's lead singer "Pager" but comes across as a bit of a creeper in this one. That is all I am going to say about that. 

Editing wise this thing is a mess. There are a lot of attempts to show us what the ants are seeing and what the band members are seeing while they are on Peyote and it’s just a jumbled nightmare. Regarding the effects, however, they are actually pretty funny and decent looking especially given that this is meant to be a horror-comedy. 

DEAD ANT does have some pretty funny moments and for the audience, it’s directed at, it’s probably going to be a pretty great time. It’s also a bit of a love letter to all that was glam rock. If you take out that opening scene for me this is a lot better but I do still wish Jake Busey hadn’t screwed up “Blow My Fuse”.

This is a 4 out of 7 just because it’s a faithful attempt at a giant ant flick, but the rating is being generous given its multiple issues. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF AUGUST HEART ENTERTAINMENT AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY. 

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