“PIRANHA”
What’s it About?
When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort’s rivers, the guests become their next meal.
Directed by Joe Dante
By Vic
Good old Roger Corman. You could always count on him, on occasion, to cash in on a cinematic trend here, and there. Hell, he has made almost a life long career of it. When “Piranha,” an obvious and pretty blatant spoof of Jaws, (along with other notables: Orca and Grizzly) was released in 1978, the B grade campiness of this “man vs nature” film did not deter it from finding a large (and before hand, dubious) audience. Movie-goers eventually reveled in this cheesy, tongue-in-cheek schlocky fare, creating until this day, a beloved cult film from a notable director of some weighty talent and an impressive filmography.
Suprisingly, this low budget film, directed strongly by Joe Dante (The Howling, Gremlins and Innerspace), the king of monster movie parodies, and written confidently by auteur scribe John Sayles (Alligator) actually works with that neat drive-in movie, double bill charm. It’s fun, scary and not terribly gore-filled, given the genre and minimal budget trappings. Of course, the film has a very biting satirical spin on the genre that may convert fans, who admire and prefer rip off – b flicks, quickly in this particular manner.
Dante’s film also re-creates some very realistic nastiness despite the home-spun hokum that the script demands. The attacks, especially when children are involved, are quite brutal but resplendent to watch. The gore, while not over the top, provokes dread and repulsion.
The somewhat stiff but appropriately heroic Bradford Dillman plays Paul, a man of the woods type, who hesitantly pairs up with Maggie, played by Heather Menzies to investigate the disappearance of some unwary hikers at a nearby Government installation. The film, with it’s simple movie of the week plot, unfolds evenly into more of a comedy, at times, than a horror film, as our duo uncover a secret military operation involving mutated killer fish with nasty results. Joe Dante regular, Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Innerspace) stars as a left-behind scientist, who has been the crazed monitor and protector of the deadly piranha. His fevered performance is definitely one of the highlights of Dante’s small film.
Many things work in it’s favor and mostly because of Dante’s straight but incredibly humorous direction and guidance.The movie sports decent photography (the rivers and forests are drably sharp and lit) and the little monster fish look pretty rad, especially when zipping around underwater. Thankfully, the shots do not linger long and the bits and pieces we get do look ok.
The flesh-eating piranha are let loose upon on unsuspecting swimmers with a dire, even more scarier proposition than Spielberg’s great white shark. Mainly because there are MANY of these tiny, swimming killers with uber-razor sharp teeth and damn, they are crazy hungry! Now, I have seen enough National Geographic specials on Amazonian killer fish to know that this is a very un-probable premise, but Joe Dante pulls off the plausibility with such geeky and fun assurance, that one cannot help but really enjoy it all.
The mid section (that raft scene goes on a bit long) does drag a bit, mostly when trying to display exposition, and the film does have a late 70’s dated air about it, but I am definitely recommending it for the parodical sensibilities that Sayles and Dante imbue with humor and horror.
At one point Universal had considered chucking out an injuction to the film for it’s “Jaws” satirization (and close proximity to the release of “Jaws 2”) but they held back when Steven Spielberg (who actually was quoted as saying: “its the best of the “Jaws” rip off’s”) had stepped in and persuaded Universal Pictures from taking further action.
Also, a remake was once considered by Chuck Russell, who had one good remake under his belt in “the Blob.” It did not pan out so Alexandre Aja scooped up the project. As well, and this may come as a surprise to many, “Piranha” was re-made in 1995 and starred William Katt, Alexandra Paul and Mila Kunis (her first debut role). This version was also produced by Mr. Corman, but it remains overlooked and has been little seen, over the years, justifibly so.
In closing, I wished I owned a drive-in theater these days, because I’d definitely include this cult, b movie classic to the schedule! Maybe paired up with other famous parodies by Dante, like The Howling, Gremilns or Innerpsace? Enjoy, gang!
VIC'S MOVIE DEN 
I’ve still never seen it, but with that cast (and Corman’s involvement), I may have to remedy that one of these days. Good review!
Thanks, Paul! Check this one out and I have no doubt you’ll have a blast. Let me know your thoughts, please. I think the cast will surprise you, here. I appreciate you checking in, buddy. Thank you!
An oldie, but definitely a goodie! Fine look at this Corman (and Dante) classic, Vic.
I appreciate that, Micheal. I had fun re-visiting this one. Dante was rough around the edges here, but that was such a part of the charm. I’m happy you enjoyed the review and thanks for the share. Thank you for checking in!
Good movie, good review!
It is! Glad you enjoyed the review. This was a blast to re-visit. Thanks for checking in, I appreciate it 🙂
I’d totally visit your drive-in theater! 🙂
You will be be a VIP guest, hands down, but make sure you bring a killer ride lol! Thanks for checking in 🙂
Awesome! Oh, wait… I don’t have a car. Or a license. Lol 😉
Haha it’s OK. You can bring a bicycle 😁
Hard to make-out, then! Lol!
😁
Good stuff!!!! It has been soooooooo long since I’ve seen this one.
Thanks, Keith! It was a very long time since I had seen it, too. Had a blast with it. Glad you liked the review! It was a long time coming since I had put it off so long lol. Always happy for the feedback, man! Thanks for stopping by.
Haven’t seen this in ages but I remember it was good fun when I did. Love the posters!
Thanks Mike! I had a few more to put up from different countries but didn’t want the post to get too long. I enjoyed the lobby cards as well. Thanks for checking in bro!
Piranha is such a great film, been ages since I’ve seen it though. Awesome posters as well btw 🙂
seems like that is the theme of this thread lol! everyone hasn’t seen it in a long time, including myself haha! glad you liked the posters, Paul. thanks for checking in!
Yeah, I was thinking the same of this thread. Think I’ll have to put that right and watch Piranha again sometime, always fun to revisit a favourite film again! You’re welcome Vic & have a great weekend 🙂
thanks Paul! you too, my friend 🙂
Great write up bro! I remember watching this as a kid on a Saturday afternoon on regular tv. It was edited and all but I just felt like such an adult!
First time I watched it was on vhs as a rental but did catch it a few times on TNT late night. I loved how they made you think you were getting a full unedited version back then lol. thanks for stopping by, Eric, glad you enjoyed the review!
It’s fun isn’t it? The remake isn’t too bad either!
need to see the remake once again. been a long while. I recall it was off the wall and had some crazy moments, but Dante’s film is a blast! Thanks for checking in, Mark! I appreciate it 🙂
It’s a laugh mate.
Nice review, Vic! I think I appreciate this movie a lot more now, considering its modest aspirations and fun performances. As you mentioned, Kevin McCarthy is great in his little role, and Dick Miller is suitably awesome.
On a side note, it was fun re-visiting this with a different perspective, since it was filmed in nearby (for me, anyway) San Marcos, TX, at the now-defunct Aqauarena park. Now, it’s a nature preserve owned by the local university.
I just watched this film and think it would be perfect for a drive in movie viewing. Never been to one.
I actually saw it at a drive in in Upstate New York as a kid. Great time. No better way to watch it IMO.
That sounds so cool. Here’s my review of it. https://vinnieh.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/piranha/
Thanks for the link! Will check it out tomorrow. Much appreciated!👌
Cheers Vic. I’ve got plenty of horror content on there for you to see.
sounds good. I have much catching up to do with everyone. can get around to it, now that it’s fall and my busy summer is over 😊
There’s no rush dude. I just know you like your horror and it seemed to be the appropriate month for watching something scary.