Are you prepared for the thrill of a shark-infested ride through fields of corn? Grab your seats, because "Sharks of the Corn" is here to deliver an intoxicating mix of horror and comedy. It was written and directed by the legendary Tim Ritter, this ultra low-budget flick draws on Stephen King's famous "Children of the Corn" (1984) and transforms it into a hilarious, bizarre humorous spoof that'll leave to scratch your head in disbelief and squatting on the ground with laughter.
An Cornfield Carnival of Chaos
From the opening scene in one of the fields that seems innocent "Sharks of the Corn" shows its quirky side. We are introduced to Gary and Susan and Susan, two people who rapidly fade away into the background after the film has veered towards unexpected direction. The plot weaves together horror elements and an array of subplots to create a wonderful combination that can best be described as a cornfield carnival filled with chaos.
An Psychoopathic Shark Enthusiast
Enter Teddy Bo Lucas, a character who brings an additional edge to an already fascinating story. This crazy shark enthusiast has an uncanny obsession with these underwater predators. As if sharks in cornfields weren't enough weird, Teddy has taken his fascination to another level when they commit a shocking murder within his hotel room. It's a shocking incident that sets the stage for an explosive whirlwind of mystery and suspense.
Consensus, Cults And Sharks
The plot thickens as the authorities place the blame squarely on Gary, a poor Gary to be the culprit in Susan's death, however, he is not the motive. Meanwhile, a shark cult appears as a bizarre plot, taking us into some world where cornfields as well as the cult of sharks collide. When you think there's no way to make things more absurd then two inept burglars set out to take away a young shark from the fanatical group. It's an unpredictable mix of the absurd and hilarious that keep viewers on the edge.
Critiques as well as Comic Relief
While "Sharks of the Corn" provides a different and unique journey, the film is not without the flaws. The film is often a jumble of distinct characters and scenes creating a sense of disorientation for viewers and struggling to follow the numerous plotlines. It's an intentional choice of style which contributes to the fun nature of the film, however it's unlikely to be everyone's cup.
The production values of this film are in the wrong direction, and the acting is in the (blog post) realm of questionable. But, in the midst of weak performances, Steve Guynn shines through with his excellent performance. In fact, he is doing his part rather than being merely repeating dialogue. It's rare to find true acting in a sea filled with exaggerated performance.
Shark Puppets and Bonkers Plotlines
"Sharks of the Corn" makes use of low-budget, simple effects with been able to create a certain appeal. All of the shark attacks are hilariously rendered by hand puppets, adding the sense of humor to the movie. The bizarre plot arc, which centers about a plan of a shark's cult to revive a mythological shark goddess in the middle, is where the film really unleashes its imagination. It's just that, sometimes, this imagination results in a less engaging watching experience.
Amateurish Cinematography, Explosions Optional
The one area in which "Sharks of the Corn" misses the mark is in cinematography. The film's framing and images come in a tinier way, lacking the finesse and polish found in mainstream horror films. While this may be intentional so that the film maintains a budget-conscious look yet it does affect the quality of the experience.
As a conclusion "Sharks of the Corn" is an acquired taste. It's a slow, boring sequence of events that can be hard to make sense of. Low production values complicated plot lines, and uncertain acting are likely to turn off the viewers in search of a high-quality horror and comedy. But for those looking to watch negative films as entertainment "Sharks of the Corn" can't provide what they expected in terms of hilarity.Final Rating one "Stock Footage Overlay" Out Five
A poor quality video, actors, audio and editing "Sharks of the Corn" does not quite meet the threshold. In spite of the possibility for a hilarious spoof, it's unable to (click links) produce an engaging and cohesive movie. As the reviewer, I close with a humorous comment: films, like corn, are only better when they include explosions. Unfortunately, "Sharks of the Corn" just doesn't make the grade.