As someone who’s spent a fair share of evenings huddled around a TV screen with a bucket of popcorn and a cold beer, I must say that “The Invisible Raptor” seems like it was tailored just for me! The film’s self-aware silliness and irreverent humor resonate with the spirit of those old B-movies I used to watch back in my younger days.
In a more casual and engaging style: Where’s the dinosaur, you might wonder? Making an authentic prehistoric film isn’t a walk in the park, even for big-budget directors like Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. But here’s an interesting twist for indie filmmakers: Why not focus on the challenge? For instance, Chad Michael Murray’s new Netflix Christmas movie has been facing some criticism for attempting to create fake ice skating scenes. However, if a low-budget director is determined to create their own grand spectacle, like a dinosaur breaking loose in mainland U.S., they might consider following in Spielberg’s footsteps with Jaws, rather than Jurassic Park. After all, the shark only had four minutes of screen time in Jaws. So, how about making a dinosaur movie without ever actually showing a dinosaur? That’s what the film The Invisible Raptor attempts to do.
Under the direction of Mike Hermosa, the film titled “The Invisible Raptor” offers a grindhouse experience reminiscent of old drive-in movies, in a delightful manner. The dialogue is outrageously cheesy and the jokes are on par with those told by stoners, yet spoken by grown men. Embrace its low-budget charm, and you’ll likely appreciate the blend of horror and comedy it delivers. It’s evident that co-writer and lead actor Mike Capes is fully invested, and the thrilling final act could very well make the entire journey worthwhile.
What if Dr. Grant Were Disgraced?
Just like the horror-comedy “Piranha 3D” (2010), which started with a well-known actor (Richard Dreyfuss from “Jaws”) in the spotlight for its opening death scene, the movie “The Invisible Raptor” follows a similar pattern. Instead of beginning in a town setting where the entire film unfolds, we first find ourselves in a dimly lit laboratory, with Sean Astin, who played a professional Goonie and has a vibe reminiscent of his role in “Stranger Things”, portraying scientist Willie Walsh. He’s a somewhat solitary figure who spends his nights conducting tests for a top-secret experiment he shares with fellow lab assistant John Sykes (Bobby Gilchrist). Predictably, the experiments set off a chain of events as their unidentified creature escapes and wreaks havoc.
Just as a typical B-movie features a diverse ensemble of quirky characters, this small town where the monster will unleash its fury is no exception. The older residents, such as Henrietta (Sandy Martin), Murray (Larry Hankin), and Sheriff Grimley (Richard Riehle), are familiar figures from previous popular films and series. They add a comforting, well-worn touch to this otherwise gruesome horror spectacle.
However, the main plot primarily focuses on a disgraced paleontologist named Dr. Grant, who has fallen to working at a local amusement park teaching children about dinosaurs. This character is a nod to Sam Neill’s iconic role in Spielberg’s 1993 film. In this alternate version of Dr. Grant’s life, he finds himself stuck in a dead-end job with his equally disheartened coworker, Denny Denielson (David Shackelford), and a younger, arrogant boss named Todd (Bill Kottkamp). However, when his former girlfriend, Amber (Caitlin McHugh), unexpectedly encounters him at work, old feelings rekindle.
‘The Invisible Raptor’ Is a Rowdy, Silly B-Movie
Just as Simon Pegg balanced rekindling romance amidst a zombie apocalypse in the movie “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), things get even more intense for Grant when he and Amber find out that people are mysteriously dying around town, apparently due to an elusive creature. Luckily, being a certified paleontologist, Grant gets his moment to shine with a witty comment reminiscent of Samuel L. Jackson’s from “Snakes on a Plane“. “It’s an invisible raptor!
Audience excitement is likely if you manage to solve this mystery in cinemas. Similarly, similar audience reactions might occur at other plot twists throughout this absurd story. This film offers plenty of entertainment as a group of local oddballs and inept law enforcers join forces to hunt down the elusive velociraptor wreaking havoc across town, always hungry amidst a crowd of potential victims. The movie is a playful homage to countless ’50s monster films like The Killer Shrews, The Deadly Mantis, and Them!.
You Get What You’d Expect
In simpler terms, you should know that “The Invisible Raptor” is a film with an unconventional and irreverent style, which might be best enjoyed while having pizza and drinks. If you’re not aware of this ahead of time, you may find yourself frequently disappointed, thinking things like, “When will they show the dinosaur? This is a ripoff!” The movie’s cheesy nature can either be appealing or off-putting, depending on your preference for the type of film you want to watch.
In the third act, there are some brilliant scenes involving the raptor, but overall, immerse yourself in the town’s peculiar brand of ignorance as residents argue endlessly about whose idea is least foolish for rebuilding safety. Some of the witty put-downs exchanged among certain individuals seem to be the result of writers who might have taken a long break with marijuana, then randomly jotted down whatever nonsensical thoughts came to mind on the script.
As a film enthusiast, I must admit that the extended runtime of almost two hours for “The Invisible Raptor” might give pause to some viewers who may anticipate an action-packed adventure like this one to last around 85 minutes or less. However, the brief appearance of actor Astin, fondly remembered from the “Lord of the Rings” series, in the film’s initial scenes is bound to leave fans yearning for a more substantial role from him. Nevertheless, the cast as a whole delivers a lively performance that keeps you engaged – who knows? If this movie does well, we might just see a sequel titled “The Invisible T. Rex” grace our screens in the future. From Well Go U.S.A., “The Invisible Raptor” hits theaters and digital platforms on December 6.
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2024-12-02 21:02