Monsturd (2003)

First things first, with a title like Monsturd you pretty much know this isn't going to be a serious movie and not the kind of film you'd probably watch with your future in-laws. What you do get however is one kick ass movie made on a budget that has everything horror fans looks for in a film. For me this is what low budget independent movie making is all about. The story is simple, an escaped serial killer Jack Schmitt dies a mysterious death in the city's sewage treatment plant, deep, dark trouble comes to town. A horrifying accident at a nearby genetic research laboratory results in the blood thirsty killer's resurrection and soon, using the county's sewer system as his underground lair, Schmitt exacts his odious revenge on the frightened townsfolk. Thats right folks, Jack Schmitt becomes a walking talking killing lump of s@#t with attitude. How's that for a storyline!.

Don't think however this film is just an excuse for toilet jokes, it isn't. Yes it is a horror comedy and yes there are some funny moments but this film is much more than just 80 minutes of c@#p and s@#t jokes. What the writer/director pairing of Dan West and Rick Popko have created here is a brilliant piece of independent movie making. The acting throughout the film had a great relaxed and natural feeling and it's hard not to enjoy the film for what it is, a good fun movie. It's also thanks to the acting from the cast that some of the less plausible scenes just fit in and work, for example two scientists pouring chemical waste down a sidewalk storm drain in broad daylight in the middle of a residential area or the scene where a small girl describes to the local sheriff's and a police sketch artist the giant turd that killed her father, or my personal favorite where the two local deputies, played by our writer/director duo of Dan West and Rick Popko, find the remains of a sewer worker and spent the next 30 seconds throwing up, just brilliant. Monsturd is the first full length film from 4321 Films but having checked out their site I see there already well into production into their next film RetarDEAD and it's planned for a video release for this winter. RetarDEAD see's the evil Dr Stern, the creator of the s#$t monster return from the sewer to unleash his latest evil scheme on the students of Butte County Institute of Special Education and having just watched the trailer for this next project I'm already looking forward to picking this one up too. I'll wrap this little review up with a couple of lines from the brilliant title song from Monsturd...

I'm here to warn you though it must seem absurd To be aware of a giant Monsturd When the s#$t goes down he may be in your town Don't get caught with your pants down Don't be a fool, don't drop the kids at the pool Oh yeah he's one cool stool

Violent but deadly, you'd better be aware He might just be in your underwear Best hold your breath, no don't breath that noxious vapor Make sure you've got some toilet paper

Dan/hmandm.com