Blood Suckers from Outer Space

USA • 1984 • 79m •

• Directed by: Glen Coburn. • Starring: Robert Bradeen, Big John Brigham, Glen Coburn, Franny Coppenbarger, Christine Crowe, David Cunningham, Joyce Dixon, Laura Ellis, Dan Gallion, Rick Garlington, Wayne Greene, Christopher Heldman, Candace Hickey. • Music by: Rick Garlington.

A mysterious alien virus which manifests itself as a deadly gust of wind transforms the local yokels in a sleepy small Texas town into pasty-faced bloodthirsty zombies. Laid-back photographer Jeff Rhodes and his sweet newfound girlfriend Julie do their best to stay alive and survive this harrowing ordeal.

Review:

Image from: Blood Suckers from Outer Space (1984)

Make no mistake, "Blood Suckers from Outer Space" is fun, but wasn't as much fun for this viewer given the value of that great schlock title. One would expect lots of campy entertainment from a movie bearing that title, but there's just too much talk and not enough action. However, when things get interesting, there's good times to be had. They're just largely saved for the last quarter of the movie. The no-name cast has the offbeat task of looking very serious a lot of the time, but sometimes dropping that seriousness in favour of a playful wink at the audience. There are some very amusing instances of breaking the fourth wall. The gore is as tacky as one could wish for, and the soundtrack is catchy, especially that new wave rock title theme song.

Thom Meyers plays Jeff Rhodes, an amiable Texan hoping to make a living as a photographer, which puts him at odds with his farmer uncle Joe (Robert Bradeen). Making the acquaintance of comely stranger Julie (Laura Ellis), who gives him a lift when his car has a flat, he soon makes the discovery that a strange alien force - manifested as wind - is transforming the peaceable country folk into bloodthirsty ghouls. While Jeff and Julie simply try to survive, a gung-ho Army general named Sanders (Dennis Letts) thinks he knows how to take care of the problem.

Goofy fight scenes, a sometimes priceless music score (by Rick Garlington, who also plays Major Hood), endearing lead characters, and that irresistible no budget flavour of a regional horror flick help to make this reasonably enjoyable. Token name actor Pat Paulsen contributes a knowing cameo as a randy U.S. president, and is a hoot to watch. Letts, who made his film debut here and became a prominent local character actor (also turning up in things like "A Perfect World" and "Passenger 57"), is solidly entertaining in his role. All things considered, this is agreeable enough and funny enough to sit through for a fairly trim 82 minutes.

Review by Scott LeBrun from the Internet Movie Database.

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