Film Review - Shapeshifter
Starring - Jennifer Lee Wiggins, Ocean, Chris Facey | Directed by Gregory Lemkin | The Asylum DVD WS R 82min 2005
Review By Xmortis
Another urban horror film with a terrible soundtrack, flashy/choppy editing and a monster that is under used. A monster is let out of the back of a box truck to feed. His victims are at a small hotel playing spanking games and are ripped to pieces. Then it's to a maximum security prison filled with drug addicts, murders and thieves, and new hire Ginny is getting her tour of the place when she meets an old friend from the foster homes and is there when they bring "him" in. When the weird man transformers into a flesh eating demon, Ginny along with the inmates must stick together to stay alive one hellish night in the prison. One by one the demon kills and eats his victims getting more powerful after each murder. In the end Ginny and only one inmate are alive and defeat the monster when they remove its amulet from its chest.
Like most Asylum films this one claims to be like Alien and Assault on Precinct 13 and is nothing like either. While this is not a terrible film, it is by no means a scary horror film. The demon's outfit is okay and looks like a rubber suit used in tons of early 90's direct to video horror films. The effects, while not groundbreaking are pretty solid for a B-movie with such a tiny budget and use just the right amount of the red stuff. The soundtrack is terrible with some of the worse rap songs I have ever heard. These songs make Fat Boys seem like Beethoven! The acting and script both are mediocre but better than most backyard horror flicks. Over all it's nothing amazing but is a fun watch and is better than most other Asylum films.
The DVD extras include commentary, deleted scenes, a behind the scenes look, trailers and a history of the beast done with humor. All add up to a fun, short watch.
If you like independent creature features, then this is one for you. A rubber suit, a Russian girl in a schoolgirl uniform, fake blood and guts and a goofy plot make this one worth a rent.