Frankenfish

Frankenfish (2004) does little with fail-safe subject matter: enormous, mutant killer fish in the Louisana swamps. Over-the-top title? Check. Gratuitous tit shots? Check. Hilariously cheap and unrealistic special effects? Check. Abruptly violent deaths? Check. Knowingly terrible and cheeky dialogue and acting? Check. All of which means Frankenfish is highly watchable. However, when compared with infinitely superior B-movie killer water creature classics, Piranha (1979) and Anaconda, (1997) its deficiencies in acting, directing, and overall creativity are obvious, and the instrinsic camp value dwindles as a result. For all of the bad reviews Piranha and Anaconda perhaps justifiably received, both had real talent involved (a script by John Sayles for the former and performances by respected thesps, Owen Wilson, J-Lo, Jon Voight in the latter). Unfortunately, Frankenfish is proof that sometimes not taking yourself seriously just isn't enough.