Serum

The Details:
Directed by: Steve Franke
MPAA: Rated R for horror violence and gore, some sexuality, nudity and language.
Runtime: USA:89 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Color
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Certification: USA:R

The Review:
"Brain Fluid."

It seems like these two words being an essential part of a movie's plot would immediately propel it into B-greatness, but this is obviously not the case. Serum is simply a Re-Animator knockoff with the feel of a daytime soap opera and a pinch of soft core porn...but without the sex.

Eddie is a down-to-earth handsome young man that just got accepted into Medical School. He is the third doctor in his family, taking after his father and his uncle, Dr. K. Speaking of Dr. K, he is currently working on a cure for cancer to end human suffering. As he says, "humans have the power to heal themselves." As a side note, the filmmakers obviously thought they were really making a statement with this line as they actually QUOTE THEIR OWN MOVIE in the introduction! Anywho, the secret ingredient to Dr. K's special serum is nothing other than human brain fluid. He acquires his samples from nasty anorexic hookers, probably because he has an S&M fetish that is nonchalantly thrown in to the plot and never comes around to mean anything. Sadly, Dr. K's cure isn't quite ready for the public. It has some wacky side effect that causes peoples faces to bloat up and give them cravings for cats and human flesh.


While Dr. K is performing his deranged research, the movie puts most of its effort into all kinds of character development and relationship issues. The first 35 minutes of the movie are more of a romantic drama than a horror movie, though this is actually the most entertaining part! Eddie hangs out with his buddy Walt who is postponing his graduation to pay for a new set of boobies he bought for his slutty, wishy-washy girlfriend. Eddie is also trying to get back together with his girlfriend that isn't nearly as cool or sexy as the girl she works with, but whatever dude.

Derek Phillips does a great job of playing Eddie. He is believable and at times hilarious. There is one particular scene where he mocks a complete redneck douche-bag that is 24 karat gold! On the other hand, the other performances are weak and forced...but sure fun to watch! Characters sit in awkward positions, give weird facial expressions and deliver their lines like high school freshmen reading aloud in english class. All the acting aside from Eddie really does fall into the so-bad-its-good category, which saves the movie from complete disregard from this breviewer.

Unfortunately, once the "horror" element comes in the movie becomes rather dry. All the characters you got to know end up dying boring deaths that will have every horror fan shaking their head in disappointment. The only worthwhile gore effect is when Eddie's face is bubbling up from the serum. There are a few other little "action sequence" effects that are done fairly well, but overall the movie becomes one badly-executed-scene after badly-executed-scene. On top of it all, every major scene is introduced by annoying and pointless displays of the date and time! It is absolutely ridiculous and does absolutely nothing. To make matters worse, the DVD commentary reveals that the director HONESTLY thinks this helps "build tension" in the movie.....sigh.

In fact, after watching Serum, I told myself that if I listened to the commentary and the filmmakers made fun of movie, I would rate it at a three. If they were to be serious and talk about how great the movie and actors are, I would give it a two. The verdict? It turns out that director Steve Franke and co. actually think they made a GOOD movie......*grumble.*

So, despite some great laughs for the first half hour or so, I'd have to say that Serum is not worth your time or money. The DVD cover is sweet though!!!




EDDIE: Good actor and some great moments with him!
AWKWARD ACTING: It's wonderfully bad.
REDNECK BOYFRIEND: Causes a few awesome laughs!