Horror Movie Review: Creepozoids (1987)

The year is 1998, 6 years after an apocalyptic nuclear war has devastated the earth. In the ruins of Los Angeles, a group of US Army deserters are forced to take refuge from acidic rain. The 5 deserters end up in a seemingly deserted laboratory that turns out to be a secret government research facility.

Some of the group want to leave but the acid rain is pouring down outside. They’re stuck so try to make the best of it such as having sex, sleeping & generally nosing about. It’s the latter of the three that lands the group in trouble when they discover a genetically-engineered monster is lurking inside.

Directed by David DeCoteau & starring the legendary scream queen, Linnea Quigley as well as Ken Abraham, Michael Aranda, Richard L. Hawkins, Ashlyn Gere & Joi Wilson. Creepozoids is unashamed in its attempt to rip off Alien (it has a very similar dinner scene amongst others) even though it falls flat on its face. A more ‘tongue in cheek’ approach to an alien based horror, the biggest flaw in Creepozoids is just how lacklustre the story is.

We have this post-apocalyptic world, a war that destroyed the earth & it’s barely discussed. No expansion on it, just characters occasionally mentioning the rain & moaning about having to stay hidden because of their desertion.

To makes matters worse what occurs within the facilities walls is so bare bones a large portion of the film is characters just running back & forth. No-one tries in this, even Linnea Quigley seems to know just how bland the script is so puts in a half-hearted effort. Although unsurprisingly she does take her clothes off for a shower scene.

The effects are horrible, this is as low budget as you can get. The alien is rubbery looking & lacks any semblance of actual threat. The most hilarious of the effects though is a giant rat that attacks some of the cast. This thing couldn’t possibly look anymore fake & the casts reaction to it makes the whole scene even worse. Are they scared? Or have they just realised their careers are over?

Thankfully it’s quite short (70 minutes) & the finale is quite fun. Add in the cheesy score, some over the top gore & you could do a lot worse than spending just over an hour with Creepozoids. Just leave your brain at the door.