Big
Foot must be real, because he fits the description of the Oh-Mah in Yurok and
Hoppa native legends. According to the Pacific Northwest deputy, they are the
restless spirits of deceased tribal chiefs. Those must have been some mean
chiefs, because this Oh-Mah sasquatch is one ornery beast in Patrick Magee’s Primal Rage: Bigfoot Reborn (trailer here), which has a special one-night only Fathom Events
screening tomorrow, at participating theaters.
Ashley
just picked up her no-account husband Max from prison, hoping to salvage their
relationship, but all he wants to talk about are shivs. Soon, he won’t be
talking so tough anymore. Things look bad when bad when Ashley runs down a
half-chewed victim fleeing the Oh-Mah, but they take a worse turn when they
tumble down the ravine during the aftermath. Clearly, they will be the Oh-Mah’s
next prey, but the creature seems to take a special interest in Ashley.
Max
and Ashley could use some help, but the hunting party of drunken good old boys
are not exactly the helpful type. They too seem to take an interest in Ashley,
but they won’t be laughing either once Oh-Mah starts picking them off one or
two at a time. He is a hairy creature, but he is smart enough to use tools,
like a bow and arrows. Fortunately, the skeptical Sheriff agreed to attend a
sweat lodge-style ritual for insight, so help is surely on the way.
During
the long, long set-up, Primal feels
like a pretty standard Big Foot movie, but the third act is surprisingly tense and
brutal. Throughout it all, late veteran character actor Eloy Casadas is
terrific as the Sheriff. Even though Casadas had a recurring role on Walker, Texas Ranger and regularly
appeared in Ron Shelton’s films, it doesn’t look like the trades or Deadline
covered his passing, so good for Magee and company for dedicating the film to
his memory.
So,
it does get going eventually, as soon as Oh-Mah’s arrows start flying. Casey
Gagliardi and Andrew Joseph Montgomery stop being so annoying as Ashley and Max
once the direness of their situation becomes apparent. Marshal Hilton also
keeps things lively by gleefully chewing the scenery as B.D., the leader of the
sketchy hunting party.
