Film Review: Komodo Vs Cobra

Komodo vs Cobra (2005)A group of special forces arrives on a remote tropical island to investigate a top secret research facility that has recently fallen off the map, with no communication to let outsiders know what happened. Upon arrival the men discover something horrible has occurred, with giant komodo dragons and cobras battling it out while they attempt to regain control of the island.

Starring: Michael Paré, Michelle Borth, Ryan McTavish, Renee Talbert, Jerri Manthey

Directed by: Jim Wynorski

Runtime: 94 minutes

Studio: Lions Gate

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Review: Komodo vs Cobra

The title should say it all really. A team of environmentalists including Jerry (Ryan McTavish), his girlfriend Carrie (Renee Talbert) and a reporter Sandra (Jerri Manthey) charter a boat captained by Mike (Michael Pare) and head for a military island to do some investigating. They find the island deserted until they come upon what they believe to be a military base. Here they meet Dr Susan Richardson (Michelle Borth) who informs them it isn’t safe. A giant cobra and a komodo dragon are on the island and they are killing anything that gets in their way. Now, that is a problem.

Predictably, our humongous cobra and komodo are the result of an experiment gone wrong. Why do these scientists keep doing this? Do they never learn? It seems Susan and her father were pioneering experiments to grow plants with a few to feeding the world population but the military desired weapons so turned to tests on animals. Of course the komodo and cobra have preyed on the islanders and now fresh bait has come their way they are loathe to hold back with such a rich offering on the menu. A straightforward escape for our group proves anything but when the military learns of the chaos that has broken out and they endeavour to blow the island out of the water!

I won’t lie to you. My hopes were not high for Komodo vs Cobra and in that respect it did not disappoint me. The effects for the cobra and the komodo are painful to watch, as are the people who are killed. I expect they must have been pretty embarrassed filming this on occasion. The acting is lacking here with only one or two minor quips sneaking into the dreadful script. Not everyone survives to the end which is no surprise but for me the biggest shock was the most annoying character saw the film through to the end. My disappointment was palpable.

Komodo vs Cobra is yet another monster movie that leaves me struggling to comprehend who would possibly enjoy this. The story is weak and overused, the characters unappealing and the effects are utterly woeful. I’ve found with these films that they have one saving grace: they fall short of the 90-minute mark. Komodo vs Cobra couldn’t even grant me that luxury.

Verdict: 1/5