Movie rating: 4 Star

Grabbers

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Pitched squarely as Tremors crossed with The Guard, Grabbers is that unique beast: a fantastically entertaining genre movie with an inherently Irish slant. Boasting impressive effects, excellent performances and a wry sense of humour, this film deserves to find a global audience.

The inhabitants of a small island off the west coast of Ireland are in for a bit of a shock - an aggressive alien life form is on its way and it's hungry. Local Garda Ciaran O'Shea (Coyle boasting a flawless Irish accent) doesn’t really have much to do in general. When his boss takes a holiday and is temporarily replaced by Ruth Bradley's pedantic Dublin flatfoot Garda Lisa Nolan, however, he realises he won't get away with phoning it in. Add an incoming storm and the aforementioned alien creatures into the mix, and it's set to be an eventful few days on the normally quiet island. Oh, and it also gives them an excuse for a piss-up of epic proportions.

While Grabbers certainly follows a conventional formula in terms of plot and execution, where the film really excels is with its tone and characters. This was obviously modelled on the criminally underrated monster flick Tremors, and the back-and-forth between the main duo is every bit as entertaining. Supporting players also shine, with the humour never pushing the organic feel of proceedings too far out of the picture. Basically, the script embraces and subverts the notion of the 'rural Irish' rather than utilising the overdone stereotypical character.

I recognised Richard Coyle from Coupling, but had no idea he was Irish - turns out he's not. But the Welsh actor does a great job playing a jaded Irish copper who's a little overly fond of grandpa's aul' cough medicine. Bradley is a nice sparring buddy for Coyle and the spark is certainly evident. Special mention must also go to Lalor Roddy as the boozy local who figures out the creature's kryptonite and offers many of the film's best comedic moments. Yet overall, credit must land at the foot of helmer Wright, who nails the tricky tone and handles the set-pieces from Kevin Lehane's witty script wonderfully.

A surprisingly slick, funny and entertaining Irish horror comedy.

Review by Mike Sheridan | 11:45 | Friday 10th August 2012 | Movie Review

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Comments

• al

  went to see this tonight ... its very good. if you like the quirkiness of films like shaun of the dead with the irish humor as seen in the snapper then your gona love this. proper acting, great script (penned by a cork man) and very impressive visuals make it a proper film. hits way above its budget. ruth bradley is the star especially once the drinks start flying .... easy on the eye too just go see it ... far better than you think i assure you

  Posted 22:54 | Tue 7th Aug 2012

• johno

  I agree with Al's comments. Was lucky enough to catch the film tonight. Did not know what to expect. Really enjoyed the film al hits it on the head with "far better than you'd think"

  Posted 23:23 | Tue 7th Aug 2012

• CJ109

  Agree Mike it's a great film, and Richard Coyle's accent is brilliant as was his Welsh accent in Coupling but he's actually from Sheffield.

  Posted 12:36 | Mon 13th Aug 2012

• maighread2008

  I really enjoyed this film. Haven't been to an Irish film that made me laugh like that in a long time so it's a welcome sight. It was just good fun the whole way through. Well worth seeing. All the cast were brilliant especially Richard Coyle. As the reviewer said his accent is flawless. Note to Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler and their excruciating diddly idle efforts at the Irish accent. This is how you do it!

  Posted 00:04 | Sun 12th Aug 2012

• C-OB

  Caught this film at the first Cork showing and was VERY pleasantly surprised! Great story with really impressive effects and acting all coming together for an awesome psy-fi comedy that is both straight up hilarious and enthralling throughout! I've been recommending it all over the place!

  Posted 22:53 | Thu 9th Aug 2012

• FilmBuff76

  Enjoyable Irish horror-comedy - not something you'd normally say about an Irish horror film. I loved spotting the nods towards Gremlins, Tremors and Aliens.

  Posted 17:03 | Sat 11th Aug 2012

• Tee

  So excited to see this. Tremors is one of my all time favourite films.

  Posted 12:02 | Mon 20th Aug 2012

• Sandyt

  Superb fim, I really enjoyed it. It's VERY unrealistic though. Guards are never that good looking.

  Posted 09:03 | Wed 15th Aug 2012

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