This could best be described as an adequate wilderness slasher with some effective moments. It does benefit from the atmosphere of its very woodsy environment, which is actually more of a star here than the human actors. It's creepy at times without ever being really scary. Many fans of this genre are likely to be less than satisfied because the body count is quite low, and the gore content (supplied by Kenny Myers) is likewise minimal. The main reason why "The Final Terror" would have some stature nowadays is because 1) it's a rare venture into horror for acclaimed veteran action director Andrew Davis ("Code of Silence", "Under Siege", "The Fugitive"), and 2) it's the chance to see a couple of very familiar faces in the beginning years of their careers - not, of course, that they really get a chance to show off much acting chops.
A group of male forest rangers embark on an excursion in the company of some female friends, and they soon begin to be threatened and killed by a mysterious presence in their midst.
While there are genre fans who will take exception to so many people being alive at the end, others should appreciate the fact that this movie takes the trouble to depart from some of the conventions of this sort of thing (perhaps a contribution from co-writer Ronald Shusett of "Alien" fame). For one thing, the survivors actually take proactive steps against the character whom they believe to be the killer. The one major murder set piece occurs during a bout of love making, unsurprisingly. The means of dispatching the murderer is rather ingenious, but Davis doesn't bother with an epilogue. Once this sucker is over, it's OVER. An undeniable highlight is the score by Susan Justin, which is haunting and catchy. Davis, a former cinematographer, also shot the movie himself under a pseudonym. The attack on the bus and a scene involving a dead body both work fairly well.
Among those paying their dues here are Mark Metcalf, Daryl Hannah, Rachel Ward, Adrian Zmed, Lewis Smith, and a priceless Joe "Joey Pants" Pantoliano as the volatile Eggar.
This is okay as slasher movies go, but as was said in the summary, it's mainly for completists.
One of the final films for legendary producer Samuel Z. Arkoff of A.I.P. fame.
Six out of 10.
A group of male forest rangers embark on an excursion in the company of some female friends, and they soon begin to be threatened and killed by a mysterious presence in their midst.
While there are genre fans who will take exception to so many people being alive at the end, others should appreciate the fact that this movie takes the trouble to depart from some of the conventions of this sort of thing (perhaps a contribution from co-writer Ronald Shusett of "Alien" fame). For one thing, the survivors actually take proactive steps against the character whom they believe to be the killer. The one major murder set piece occurs during a bout of love making, unsurprisingly. The means of dispatching the murderer is rather ingenious, but Davis doesn't bother with an epilogue. Once this sucker is over, it's OVER. An undeniable highlight is the score by Susan Justin, which is haunting and catchy. Davis, a former cinematographer, also shot the movie himself under a pseudonym. The attack on the bus and a scene involving a dead body both work fairly well.
Among those paying their dues here are Mark Metcalf, Daryl Hannah, Rachel Ward, Adrian Zmed, Lewis Smith, and a priceless Joe "Joey Pants" Pantoliano as the volatile Eggar.
This is okay as slasher movies go, but as was said in the summary, it's mainly for completists.
One of the final films for legendary producer Samuel Z. Arkoff of A.I.P. fame.
Six out of 10.