Doctor Strangeblog (DrStrangeblog)

Promising start fails to live up to even the low stature of the Species name. Lots of dead space and finally when there's some action, it happens in the dark which we humans without alien DNA cannot see. Three noteworthy factors though:

1) Helena Mattson is absolutely stunning as the new alien hybid, reminds me of a round-faced Nicole Kidman. She can't completely cover her Swedish accent but her acting is at least as good as the other Species stars, and that includes Natasha Henstridge in what was her first role. I've seen lesser talent on much plainer figures go far so here's hoping Helena can catch some breaks of her own.

2) Dominic Keating plays a genius geneticist with low moral fiber, a scoundrelly role that easily could be cliche but he instead creates a character who occasionally wavers in his cocky self-assurance and is even borderline likable at times.

3) Impressive makeup effects, I feel sorry for the actors who had to sit for hours in the chair each time they suited up in the full alien regalia!

"Aw, you can't rape me - I like sex."

Ridiculous to the extreme as a pitiful band of revolutionaries attempt to liberate a women's work camp which goes so horribly wrong it makes The Great Escape look like a resounding success. As for the women, no matter your type there's someone for you - uglies, beauties, black, white, Filipino, sassy chicks, crazy chicks, short chicks, a giantess, brunettes, and a blonde. (No fatties though, it's a labor camp after all.) My favorite was the sex-starved blonde who would't mind doing the time as long as she could get her freak on now and then - unfortunately for her all the guards are gay! Goofy thing is I can't identify her, the closing credits list character names but I'm sure over half of them aren't mentioned during the actual movie because apparently that would just confuse matters.

I can pick out statuesque Anitra Ford as she has the most screen time as a model who is notorious for bedding around with government officials, and deliverer of the quote that opens this review. Disappointed Pam Grier is only in the movie quarter of the time despite top billing, but she makes the most of it. Sid Haig has fun as Django who goes queer eye for the revolutionary guy in order to infiltrate the camp. Top honors go to the warden for shouting every single line he's given in the way that every warden should in an exploitation flick, and naturally his best line is "I AM NOT AGITATED!!!!" And what better way to make your introduction as the meanest of the mean than by kicking a puppy? (Offscreen, don't worry!)

If knife fights, shower scenes, skimpy clothes, campy acting, mud wrestling, choppy editing, attack dogs, patchy plotting, horny inmates, jive talking, and sugar cane fields are your idea of a good time, then you'll be sweet on The Big Bird Cage.