Raptor (2001)

I already had a bad feeling about this Roger Corman-produced "dinosaur-on-the-lam" film when I noticed the back of the cover box stated that it had been helmed by Jay Andrews. If you don't know who Andrews is, its the alias for long-time b-movie director Jim Wynorski (Chopping Mall), who likes to use stock footage from many other action/horror movies to substitute "costly" scenes for his films. "Raptor" isn't new territory for him, only now he's taken all the footage from the "Carnosaur" films, and mixed it in with a tiresome and cliched story.

Even in b-movie standards, Eric Roberts is slumming here as a small-town sheriff who finds himself stuck in a baffling case when three teenagers are found violently attacked and ripped to shreds. Along with him on the case is an animal control advisor (Melissa Brasselle), who, *GASP*, used to be an item with Roberts.

In the middle of this, we are introduced to Corbin Bernsen, taking over Diane Ladds character in "Carnosaur." He's an intelligent scientist who has made an invention to reincarnate baby raptors and it might even lead to the end of human race. Nothing can stop him from unleashing this project since, well, the script calls for him to be a "mad scientist." As more dead bodies start piling on, Roberts starts looking for more evidence as he tries hard to find what could possibly be responsible for the killings, seeking help from the government before the raptor causes more deadly mayhem.

The only positive thing I can really think of to say about this film is that its only 81 minutes long and there's so many continuity errors that you might get some laughs from it. Its embarrassing watching how the footage from the "Carnosaur" movies are so ineptly spliced in with the new material. In one scene, an associate who refuses to work for Bernsen's character suddenly turns much younger when he enters into a dark room that leads to a hungry T-Rex (another scene lifted from the first "Carnosaur").

If you happen to be a poor schmoe who makes the mistake of renting this piece of shit and make it through more than an hour, watch for the hilariously bad finale, which includes a thick-skulled group of armed forces pretending to shoot repeatedly at the dinosaur and a uproarious moment involving a group of men running around aimlessly in yellow suits, fairly patient that the dinosaur is inside of the building ripping various people to shreds.

The footage that Andrews has added in with the "Carnosaur" footage is a joke, although Roberts gives it an okay try for what little he has to do. Bernsen, who can be a good villain presence if you've seen "The Dentist," looks exhausted in his part as the scientist, playing him with no conviction or menace whatsoever. Braselle and Lorissa McComas are here as eye candy, with nothing else to do.

Don't bother with this poor excuse of a horror movie. If you're desperate for some dino carnage, than you're better off renting the "Carnosaur" flicks. Its a lesson in bad filmmaking that at least gives hope to the rising filmmakers out there to prove that you could make something much better than these people can.

Rating: * out of *****

Review by Adam Eshack - (c) 1/21/02