DVD Review: THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE (1992)

THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE

Written and Directed by:  Rolfe Kanefsky

Distributed by:  Troma Entertainment

I have a feeling most Horror movie fans have never heard of this film. I sure hadn't until I watched it recently, and while I can see why it might not be a very well known film, I think it should be. Here is the basic plot from the Troma website:

Three hot-to-trot couples and one goofy loner travel to an isolated country house for a weekend of debauchery, but soon realize they are not alone in the woods. One of them has seen this scenario before in dozens of horror movies, and he knows what it will take to defend themselves from an alien creature determined to eat the boys and mate with all the girls!

This is a unique film in that is the first that I know of to have a character that discusses Horror films throughout the film and warns his friends about doing things that he has seen people do in Horror films before.  In fact, this is the movie that many say inspired Kevin Williamson's screenplay for the film SCREAM several years later.  The character's name is Mike, and he warns everyone not to do the things most kids in Horror films do, including going skinny dipping and fooling around, or they are sure to die just like all those characters that he has seen in all the Horror films he watches. This was a neat idea and probably very unique at the time it came out.

The film itself is not great overall by today's standards, the film is campy with cheesy effects and some horrible acting.  While the film is from the 90's, it looks like it is more from the early 80's if you were to judge by the actors hair and clothing and by the film quality itself. The DVD looks like a direct transfer straight from a well worn VHS copy of the film. But if you are like me, sometimes all that can make a movie even more fun.  I even like the grainy, VHS feel of the movie.  It has a nostalgic feel to it. Take it for what it is and enjoy the absurdity of it all and I think you will come away really liking this film.   The film has some great camera work, especially the first person perspective shots meant to be what the alien/creature thing was seeing.  I always enjoy those kinds of shots and always appreciate more creative shots like that than just your routine camera angles.

There is also some fun gore effects on display, my favorite being a decapitation by glass door scene!  It was  a cheap effect, but it was done well.   The alien/creature itself was fun to see, and was another obvious cheap effect, and I would have liked to have seen it have more camera time, but I'm sure that had to do with budgetary restrictions, as this is an obvious low budget film for sure.

I recommend this DVD for all Horror fans. As with all their DVD's, Troma goes all out on this 20th Anniversary Edition DVD and have included tons of extras for you, including:

* New introduction by Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment
* New film deconstruction and secrets of success with writer/director Folfe Kanefsky
* New audio commentary with Mr. Kanefsky
* Rolfe Kanefsky's short film MOOD BOOBS starring Tiffany Shepis
* Behind the scenes featurette
* Original Cast auditions
* Pre-production footage and video storyboards
* Animation test footage and deleted scenes

* Production stills

* Original theatrical trailer and much more!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of the film

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Troma Films