Terrifically entertaining, superbly filmed shot on video horror/sci fi madness that was released, believe it or not, by Troma!
The Package
1998’s ALIEN BLOOD was apparently the first ever
British pick-up by Troma, who, as they do whenever they get
their hands on anything interesting (such as Buddy Giovinazzo’s
shattering COMBAT SHOCK or the stunningly weird SCREAMPLAY),
dumped it onto video with a tiny fraction of the fanfare they
reserve for in-home productions like THE TOXIC AVENGER 4.
Written, produced, directed and edited by first timer
Jon Sorensen, ALIEN BLOOD mixes MATRIX-styled action (and
remember, it was completed a year prior to that flick) with
Ken Russell-esque
outrageousness. The result is a fun no-budget gorefest that
ranks with Peter Jackson’s 1987 splatter classic BAD TASTE.
Particularly noteworthy are the astonishing CGI special effects;
Sorensen started out as an FX technician, and his expertise
shines through in the various otherworldly critters and
spaceships on display…not to mention the very copious
gore, which is carried off with aplomb.
The Story
Set on the last day of the Twentieth Century in a
vaguely identified post apocalyptic landscape, the story focuses
on the blonde, statuesque Helene, clad in a ubiquitous black
trenchcoat and shades, who is actually an extraterrestrial being
in human disguise…and a pregnant one at that! Left behind by a
visiting alien spaceship together with her young daughter
Monique, this French-accented femme Clint Eastwood wannabe is
pursued by a machine gun wielding band of freaks who wear white
hoods over their faces. Looking for a place to shelter, Helene
busts into a household of bickering vampires. This doesn’t hold
off the bad guys, however, and an all-out gorefest ensues as
Helene and her undead chums take on the invading white faces,
leading to a conclusion that can only be described as CLOSE
ENCOUNTERS meets THE EVIL DEAD.
The Direction
Jon Sorensen combines great skill with wild imagination
in his editing and camera placement. The film may be a bit too
self-consciously “artistic” at times, with an overabundance of
dissolves and an oft-annoying new-agey music score (and the
heroine’s constant “cool” posing grows tiresome very quickly!).
At his best, though, Sorensen creates a dreamlike and even
surreal atmosphere worthy of David Lynch. ALIEN BLOOD isn’t a
perfect movie by any means, but it must be counted as one of the
most promising debuts of recent years. I can only imagine what
Sorensen might do with an honest-to-goodness budget.
Vital Statistics
ALIEN BLOOD
Troma Entertainment
Director/Screenwriter/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor: Jon
Sorensen
Cast: Francesca Manning, Glyn Whiteside, Vanessa Stevens,
Catherine Whitaker