"Chameleon" (1998)
There's a creature loose in town. Its confused, lost, and hungry. Its first victim is lovely night nurse, Cathy (Debrorah Thomas). Assuming Cathy's identity, the creature makes its way back to her apartment, murdering all who cross her path in the process. Pursued by a mysterious agent (Louis Lacieviel) and questioned by Cathy's sister, Sarah (Jennifer Shumaker), the shapeshifter becomes more and more restless like a trapped animal until a deadly game of cat and mouse comes to a bloody end.
"Chameleon" is directed by Chris Woods who is better known for his potrayal of the "Red Freak", a public access show he and some friends did in college in Florida. He does manage to get some screen time in "Chameleon" as do some of his "Red Freak" alumni.
I like this film. It is well directed by Mr. Woods, who manages to get great performances from almost all his cast. He also establishes a somber mood as Cathy falls deeper into madness as well as a great creepy feel to some of the stalking scenes. I really like a scene where the creature is toying with its next victim by changing sform everytime it looks out from behind some cover.
The cast is very good. Debrorah Thomas plays the tragic creature who is lost in its many identities. She displays wide ranges of emotion as she goes from weeping victim to blood thirsty killer. There is great chemistry between her and Jennifer Shumaker who plays her sister, Sarah. Mr. Woods lets many people play the creeature in its variuos forms and one stand out performance is that of Luis Matos, the bum Cathy attacks her first night out. He is funny as the drunk and convincing as another confused form of the shapeshifter. The only performer that could have used some help is Louis Iacieviel who is good as the agent Davis but is often very wooden and flat in his delivery of his lines.
"Chameleon" is a tight, well scripted, well acted movie that leaves you satisifed but ultimately wanting more. I could see this being the foundation of a much bigger picture. There are a lot of unanswered questions that a longer film may have been able to address. Don't get me wrong, I recommend the movie, I just didn't want it to end so soon.
- Mike Clark
