Writer: Gregory Gieras (Screenplay)
Starring: Greg Grunberg, Lin Shaye, Ruben Pla, Alexis Kendra, Lombard Boyar, Ray Wise, Clare Kramer
Plot: A giant alien spider escapes from a military lab and rampage the city of Los Angeles. When a massive military strike fails, it is up to a team of scientists and one clever exterminator to kill the creature before the city is destroyed.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Fun Creature Feature
Story: Big Ass Spider Starts by show Alex (Grunberg) as he walks through the destruction of the city caused by the Big Ass Spider, before flashing back to 12 hours earlier. Alex is doing his job as an exterminator he gets bitten by a spider ending up at the hospital where he finds himself volunteering to figure out what sort of animal bit Carl (Pla) in the mortuary.
When the military turn up lead by Major Tanner (Wise) we learn that the body bought in should have been sent to a military base and along with Dr Lucas (Bauchau) we learn just what Alex is really up against. With the military thinking they have everything under control Alex teams up with security guard Jose (Boyar) to catch the spider and make a name for themselves.
Big Ass Spider can only be described as the best type of creature feature, it does everything you want in the film with reluctant hero, strict military and giant creature that seems unkillable. The film takes part over just a 12-hour time period which works to make this feel like it is unfolding instead of just have today this happened, yesterday this happened. I will this might not be for everyone but this is just fun.
Actor Review
Greg Grunberg: Alex is the small time exterminator who finds himself in the middle of the hunt for this unknown spider, he uses his skills and smart mouth along with his new partner Jose to try and kill the spider and get the girl. Greg is great in this role where he gets to be action and comic star.
Ray Wise: Major Tanner is the leader of the military trying to hunt down the spider, he takes control of anywhere that gets in his way but knows the errors of his ways. Ray does a good job in this basic military role.
Clare Kramer: LT Karly Brant is the second in command on the military side of the story who has to deal with Alex and his flirting throughout the film, she is also the connection between the two sides searching for the spider. Clare is good in this role making a good romantic angle for Alex.
Lombardo Boyar: Jose is the security guard who ends up teaming up with Alex to hunt the spider, they make for a great odd couple as Jose isn’t the smartest person in the film and makes for great chemistry with Alex. Lombardo does a great job in this role getting most of the extra laughs in the film.
Support Cast: Big Ass Spider has the supporting cast you would expect to see in creature feature type of films.
Director Review: Mike Mendez – Mike gives us such a fun creature feature that it has to be watched.
Action: Big Ass Spider does have plenty of action while trying to kill the spider.
Comedy: Big Ass Spider has plenty of laughs through the film, mostly between Alex and Jose.
Sci-Fi: Big Ass Spider shows us a world where an alien like spider comes to terrorising LA.
Settings: Big Ass Spider uses LA as the main setting showing how the city couldn’t cope with the spider invasion.
Special Effects: Big Ass Spider has good effects that are done cheaply but work to make this fun.
Suggestion: Big Ass Spider is one to watch for all the creature feature fans to enjoy. (Watch)
Best Part: Opening sequence is beautifully shot.
Worst Part: It won’t be for everyone.
Funniest Scene: Amateur footage of spider
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Could have one
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Eight Legged Freaks
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Tagline: 10 stories high and very hungry
Overall: Truly a fun creature feature
Rating