The title of the movie - as well as the trailers - should give it away: Eight-Legged Freaks is not a movie that takes itself very seriously, and is better off for it. It's a delightful throwback to the 50s monster-movie era, and it is definitely entertaining - if not even somewhat scary in parts.

The plot of the movie is pretty easy to guess. There is the requisite small town in the middle of nowhere, ironically named Prosperity, Arizona - its economy defunct after the gold mines failed to deliver. There is a slimy mayor, a two-person Sheriff's department (with Kari Wuhrer playing the Sheriff), a nerdy little kid very knowledgeable about arachnids, bunch of bike-riding teenagers, the hero who comes back into town after being away for 10 years (David Arquette), and - most importantly - the Exotic Spider Farm run by a quirky character. Predictably there's a little accident at the spider farm, the deadly spiders escape and multiply, and feed on a nearby toxic dump and viola! Giant eight-legged freaks!

The Spiders

The plot is predictable, but the execution is slick and funny. The spiders are somewhat realistic and while arachnophobics might feel somewhat sqeamish at times, they also come off as more funny than scary - and they're supposed to come off that way! One of the best scenes of the movie is towards the beginning when the spiders first appear over the horizon and attack the teenage bikers. They also attack an 18-wheeler - and I really enjoyed that scene! The special effects are cool.

The Heroes

Unlike the 50s horror movies the damsel in this movie is not in distress: she is the town sheriff and she has to defend not just herself but also the town from the hungry arachnids. She is aided by the returnee who also is sort of her love interest in the movie. Not that there is much romance in the movie - it's hard to be romantic when you're chased by 8-legged freaks I suppose!

The other funny addition to the movie is the town's own "conspiracy talk-show host" - a la Art Bell - who rants and raves about how the "government is playing secret games" and "aliens are inserting probes in ..." - you get the gist! But even he finds it hard to believe that the town is overrun by giant spiders ...

The rest of the movie is basically the two-legged ones against the eight-legged ones, with some tiresome moments and some funny moments.

While the movie remains light hearted and entertaining, it kind of dragged on a little longer than it should have. Also, only a few species of spiders are shown which is a shame for a spider movie!

But overall it's an entertaining movie that's fun to watch with friends! It's also one of those movies which is more fun to watch on a big screen. So go ahead and watch it: you are guaranteed to be a born-again arachnophobic!




Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12