Written by: Michael Den Boer on April 11th, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: Germany, 2001
Directors: Oliver Kellisch, Andreas Pape
Cast: Oliver Kellisch, Andreas Pape, Christian Botge, Christian Engelmann, Boris Hansmann, Nils Kellisch, Marco Stracke
DVD released: March 11th, 2008
Approximate running time: 72 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Letterboxed Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo German
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Unearthed Films
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.99
Synopsis: When an experimental virus is unleashed on a unsuspecting community its residents are turned into mutated blood thirsty creatures. The future of mankind rests in the hands of a few uninfected citizens who have banded together to kill all the infected individuals. Will this small group of survivors be able to contain and destroy all those who are infected?
For years I had heard about a genre of films known as “German Splatter Films” which reportedly push the boundaries of blood and gore. My first sampling of this genre comes via the film Hunting Creatures. The premise of the film a virus which is being created to prolong life that in the end mutates those who infected with is into deformed monsters sounded promising enough. The premise while strong is not executed that well as the acting is very poor, the effects are noticeable bad and the directing is shows less skill then a amateur home movies.
The film starts off strong enough and then is becomes a plot less killing spree that feels much longer then its seventy two minute time length. The score for the film is one of its stronger assets and the sound effects are effective for the most part. The carnage that fills almost every moment of the film is almost too violent and bloody to be disgusted or frightened by it. The violence almost feels too cartoonish and any humor in this film is most certainly unintentional. Ultimately I went into Hunting Creatures not expecting that much and I walked away from the experience with a lower opinion of the film.
The DVD:
Unearthed Films have done a first rate job with extra added features which include trailers, deleted scenes, photo gallery and a behind the scenes documentary. This is most likely the best this film can look on home video and the extra added content sweetens the pot for fans of this film and German splatter films. This is a solid DVD presentation from Unearthed Films. Unfortunately this is a niche film that most likely will not gain a wider audience.