Terrifically entertaining, superbly filmed shot on video horror/sci fi madness that was released, believe it or not, by Troma!
1998’s ALIEN BLOOD was apparently the first ever British pick-up by Troma, who, as they do whenever they get their hands on anything interesting (such as Buddy Giovinazzo’s shattering COMBAT SHOCK or the stunningly weird SCREAMPLAY), dumped it onto video with a tiny fraction of the fanfare they reserve for in-home productions like THE TOXIC AVENGER 4.
Written, produced, directed and edited by first timer Jon Sorensen, ALIEN BLOOD mixes MATRIX-styled action (and remember, it was completed a year prior to that flick) with Ken Russell-esque outrageousness. The result is a fun no-budget gorefest that ranks with Peter Jackson’s 1987 splatter classic BAD TASTE. Particularly noteworthy are the astonishing CGI special effects; Sorensen started out as an FX technician, and his expertise shines through in the various otherworldly critters and spaceships on display…not to mention the very copious gore, which is carried off with aplomb.
Set on the last day of the Twentieth Century in a vaguely identified post apocalyptic landscape, the story focuses on the blonde, statuesque Helene, clad in a ubiquitous black trench coat and shades, who is actually an extraterrestrial being in human disguise…and a pregnant one at that! Left behind by a visiting alien spaceship together with her young daughter Monique, this French-accented femme Clint Eastwood wannabe is pursued by a machine gun wielding band of freaks who wear white hoods over their faces. Looking for a place to shelter, Helene busts into a household of bickering vampires. This doesn’t hold off the bad guys, however, and an all-out gorefest ensues as Helene and her undead chums take on the invading white faces, leading to a conclusion that can only be described as CLOSE ENCOUNTERS meets THE EVIL DEAD.
Jon Sorensen combines great skill with wild imagination in his editing and camera placement. The film may be a bit too self-consciously “artistic” at times, with an overabundance of dissolves and an oft-annoying new-agey music score (and the heroine’s constant “cool” posing grows tiresome very quickly!). At his best, though, Sorensen creates a dreamlike and even surreal atmosphere worthy of David Lynch. ALIEN BLOOD isn’t a perfect movie by any means, but it must be counted as one of the most promising debuts of recent years. I can only imagine what Sorensen might do with an honest-to-goodness budget.
Vital Statistics
ALIEN BLOOD
Troma Entertainment
Director/Screenwriter/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor: Jon Sorensen
Cast: Francesca Manning, Glyn Whiteside, Vanessa Stevens, Catherine Whitaker