Grizzly

Title: Grizzly (1976)
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Starring: Christopher George, Richard Jaeckel, Andrew Prine
Director: William Girdler
Duration: 91 mins

Park ranger Michael Kelly and his crew are in charge of keeping order during a busy post season. Tourists are camping out all throughout the state park. But they aren't the only ones... an 18 foot tall grizzly bear also stalks the woods, and he’s hungry for human flesh. It becomes Kelly’s #1 priority to rid the park of this bloodthirsty killer, and with the help of scientist Scott and pilot Don he begins to track it down. To his displeasure, the park supervisor doesn’t want any bad press, and his ego is getting in the way of Kelly’s progress, costing the lives of many campers and rangers at the claws of this behemoth.

If this brief synopsis sounds familiar, there’s a reason for that. It’s essentially the same story as Jaws. Made on the heels of Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece, this more than just resembles it’s predecessor, it contains some identical scenes. Now, I’m not saying shot-for-shot or anything like that, and surely it’s different enough being set in the woods and all, but here’s some plot elements lifted from Jaws: larger than normal predator, autopsy scene, protagonist in position of authority, bloody attack on child, all the hunters in the area trying to catch the animal, wily animal expert, boss wanting tourist business over public safety, and a tense, ghost story-like monologue. Once you make the connection between the plots of both movies, the comparisons just keep coming. At least the happenings are taken out of the water, something Piranha, Tentacles, Orca, and Snakehead Terror failed to do.

Despite its questionable originality, Grizzly does offer a crowd-pleasing movie experience. Upon the start of the film our ears are blessed with a beautiful score that sets up the adventure that’s sure to follow. Grizzly is also a borderline R-rated film, meaning the bear’s victims are killed very violently and over-the-top. Limbs fly off the unhappy campers through the air with one swipe of the grizzly’s gigantic forearm and some folks get a bear hug that’s just a bit too tight. Whatever substance Jaws had is replaced by sensational animal attacks (a theme taken even further in Girdler’s follow-up, Day of the Animals). However, this ain’t a bad thing.

Grizzly is made for pure, adrenaline-pumping entertainment, so the technicality of it isn’t on the minds of the filmmakers. There are some pretty shots of the forest, but overall the direction and photography are standard. The acting is both good and bad. Christopher George absolutely steals the show with Jaeckel and Prine as honorable mentions. Most of the smaller roles, like the victims and hunters, are filled by sub par, cheesy actors, making George shine even brighter. The special effects aren’t very special at all, due mostly to fake bear arms and that bright red blood every 70’s film can’t be without, but they are amusing nonetheless.

While many genre fans are quick to dismiss pointless remakes, we are much more forgiving and appreciative of well-crafted blatant rip-offs. Comparisons aren’t initially made and you can enjoy the film without necessarily being well versed on the original. I suppose the same can be said about remakes, but why would you want to and sound like a fool? Bottom line: if you haven’t already, see Jaws first. It is without question the superior motion picture. Once you’ve done that, check out Grizzly if you liked what you saw.

Trailer