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The Bone Snatcher [2003]
![The Bone Snatcher [2003]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5137JX2SG4L._SL160_.jpg)
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HAD POTENTIAL BUT FAILED
Review date: 2007-10-31 Rating: 6 out of 10
Hoping to find a cause for a series of strange disappearances, Dr. Zach Straker, (Scott Bairstow) is sent to South Africa and is placed on an expedition with fellow workers Mikki, (Rachel Shelley) Karl, (Warrick Grier) Titus, (Patrick Shai) and Kurt, (Andre Weideman) to a previous expedition's campsite. Finding only bloody remains and strange pock-marked tracks in the sand, they suspect a crew member went berserk rather than the evidence that points to something else. The group is eventually stranded in the desert and wait out until they can get rescued, and eventually comes under attack from a small army of flesh-eating ants. After having survived a series of attacks from the ants, which they learn could assume human size using discarded bones, they try to find a way to battle the voracious insects.
The Good News: There wasn't a whole lot here that was worthwhile, but it was decent enough. The story is actually pretty clever, and actually has some potential with a cool creature premise and a unique setting. The main idea for the monster is a fairly clever twist, and it allows for a couple of great moments. The two night-time attacks are the main examples, and are pretty clever. The desert does at times look very foreboding and some great atmosphere is derived from it in the beginning. Other than that, though, that's about it.
The Bad News: A couple of decent scenes aside, there isn't a whole lot either. The fact that there's so much time in between attacks in the film is hardly acceptable, as it wastes time by having the characters doing absolutely nothing. All we get is pointless bickering and wandering around the desert, and that's all there is. The first half moves very slowly and doesn't really do much to alter that. It's hard to sit through when the monster isn't on-screen. The monster itself isn't that threatening to begin with, being on-screen for only a couple times throughout the film and that really takes the fear out of it. The incredibly short attack scenes are over so fast that they're over before you have a chance to really see what's going on, and they're all really underwhelming. There's a couple of other little things here and there that weren't that spectacular, and don't really need explaining.
The Final Verdict: A nice concept and an original creature don't mean much of it's not on-screen or attacks so non-eventfully. It had potential, which is sad as it could've been so much better, so give it a shot if you enjoy the Sci-Fi Channel films or enjoy the lower end of the scale of films.
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Reviews
A grade A, "B" movie
Review date: 2007-10-06 Rating: 6 out of 10
When I sat down to watch this, I expected my normal 1-2 star B movie. I was pleasantly surprised. This South African production is rather thrilling. Though at times the pace seems to slow down. And only a couple of plot line inconsistencies. Considering that this is a low budget B movie, the monster was done well.
Zack Straker, played by Scott Bairstow, is an engineer assigned to a remote mining camp in the South African desert. On his way to camp, they find two bodies stripped of all their flesh. Our band of characters start looking for the person or persons they think did these murders. All the while finding more stripped bodies on the trail they follow. All stripped of their flesh. It will have you on the edge.
Eventually they find out they are not tracking a man. Our scientist wants to study it, while the rest wisely want to kill it. I would not go out of my way to see this movie. But it does deliver good low cost thrills you expect form this type of low budget movie. Exactly what we look for in low cost horror films. So, if you are a "B" movie fan, see it.
Bone voyage
Review date: 2005-10-09 Rating: 8 out of 10
A couple of diamond prospectors are tapping around on hard places when one actually caves in. Naturally he has to look inside and you can guess who disappears.
Mean time Dr. Zack Straker (Scott Bairstow) shows up and has fun learning the culture and different quirks of the employees of a local mine consortium.
They run into the empty pit and signs of the missing prospectors. We also are reminded that on Zack arrival we see a mysterious native with a strange fetish. Evidently there is more to the story than some missing people. To add to the mix is the beautiful Mikki (Rachel Shelley) to add to the potential love angle.
There may be something ancient that snatches bones for nefarious purposes or is it all one big bugaboo?
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Warrick Grier
Rachel Shelley
Scott Bairstow
Andre Weideman
Patrick Shai
Director(s):
Recording label: Starz Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Starz Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060020622687
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-07-26
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Theatrical release date: 2003
Language: English (Original Language)