Bloodtype Online
For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
The Breed (2007)
The "Breed" is the latest film with the "A Wes Craven Production" but in this case this film doesn't disappoint on the level of films like "They" or "Dracula 2000". Taryn Manning, Eric Lively, Hill Harper, Michelle Rodriguez and Oliver Hudson star in this rabid dog feature with absolutely no CGI and tons of realistic effects that should piss the dog lovers off!
The film is about a crew of friends that go to an isolated island for a weekend trip. Unfortunately for them the island is packed with ferocious dogs ready to take a chunk out some human ass. The characters are quite overwhelming but at least the writers Peter Wortmann and Robert Conte created a history between the friends that came off realistic they were just boring. Michelle Rodriguez (ABC's "Lost") was a little toned town from her tough girl image but in all honesty it seemed like she didn't even want to be on the set. She still has a likable persona and she grew on me as the film moved along. Michelle Rodriguez plays Nicki who used to date John (Oliver Hudson) and now dates his brother Matt (Eric Lively). Taryn Manning ("Hustle and Flow") is likeable as Nicki's friend Sara and Noah (Hill Harper) is along for the ride as the token black guy cracking jokes
and getting no play!
They sit around a cabin drinking exotic mixed drinks and doing typical frat boy/soriority bullshit and the filmmakers take their sweet old time with establishing the bland characters. The characters take a backseat to the practical effects and above average mayhem that goes on half way through this 87 minute film. The place the group stays at is John and Matt's Uncles old place and little do they know about the history of the area they're in. The back of the DVD box spoils the fact that the dogs are genetically altered to hunt and kill. Through out the film dogs get brutally fucked up. Humans get bit and I have to admit that the fact that some of these dogs looked like Lassie didn't bother me what so ever because of the fierce direction and the casts believability when being confronted by these flesh ripping animals.
The location friends became more likeable once they were in jeopardy. Early in there trip the find a stray dog and Noah instantly thinks the puppy is abnormal. Soon they discover that is absolutely true when Sara gets bitten. This almost puts an abrupt end to their getaway when they consider taking Sara to get a rabies shot. They instead give her a simple post exposure treatment and after a discussion she is persuaded into staying. She sucks it up and decides to stay in an area that is not just dangerous but deadly. She got attacked by a little puppy and soon the whole group will be attacked by bigger and intense dogs of different varieties. Throughout the film Sara becomes strange because of the bite and it was a good choice by the directors that they never went overboard with her illness.
When the action is going the movie is flowing. The dialog scenes drag and a lot of the acting is maybe too natural to entertain a fan ready for a balls to the wall killer dog flick. Fan's of "Cujo" should enjoy this and the director even give a nod to the classic film based on the Stephen King novel.
The cast is late 20's early 30's but this isn't a sex in a cabin flick. A couple of people make out here and there but the film deals with more past relationships and the danger at hand. The film was rated R basically because of the animal violence that I believe to be extraordinary.
The technical aspects are what save this film. It doesn't rain blood and guts but the dogs take some nasty WWE style bumps and bruises. There is a bow and arrow kill in this film that looks damn near real. The film gets much more exciting towards the ending and each characted becomes more likable and a potential statistic! I consider this a very easy watch and recommend it to those that loathe the new age of visual effects. In closing the film is technically superb with a typical score, boring characters that grew on me as a viewer once the action started. The dogs had the best performances so I give credit to whoever handled these dogs. Rent this one and I look forward to Nick Mastandrea's next project because he made a film with classic scares and suspense and that's what a lot of horror fans want now days instead of brutality and torture. It's an old school style film with wire work action that never goes over the top and many stunts that never failed to impress me. I ain't talking car back flips and "Matrix" bullshit. I just found myself in awe that people we're putting work into each sequence that included dog vs. human violence. I am allergic to dogs and I never got to interact with them much in my life. They sort of scare me because I am not used to them and they make me breaking out in hives. They also used to trigger my asthma. Although I am not a fan of dogs and they we're the villians. A couple of scenes effected me and seemed all too real. But that's great and should be applauded for looking so authentic!
The DVD is scarce on extras but includes a solid On Set Documentary about the making of "The Breed". Viewers should be interested that the director was an assistant on Wes Craven's horror films. Interesting stuff about the dogs in the film and the way stuff was shot. All in all I was entertained and I hope fans walk away feeling the same and walking away with some admiration for the filmmakers due to the technical side the movie. I can't help but think this film would have been a solid theatrical experience. Check it out!
Rating - ** ½
-Russ Rutter
