Slayer (film)
| Slayer | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Kevin VanHook |
| Directed by | Kevin VanHook |
| Starring | Casper Van Dien Jennifer O'Dell Tony Plana Kevin Grevioux Danny Trejo Lynda Carter |
| Theme music composer | Ludek Drizhal |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Karen Bailey Morris Berger Stephen Brown John W. Hyde |
| Editor(s) | Kevin VanHook |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Distributor | Sci Fi Channel Anchor Bay Entertainment |
| Budget | $2 million (estimated) |
Slayer, also known as Mexferatu Mexico, is a 2006 vampire themed television movie by Sci Fi Channel, directed and written by Kevin VanHook, starring Casper Van Dien and Kevin Grevioux, about an elite commando squad in South American rain forest, dealing against a deadly and bloodthirsty vampire clan living in the forest.
Contents
Plot summary
The plot of Slayer concerns a group of US military soldiers led by Hawk (Van Dien), who are sent to South America, where they must fight vampires. However, one of the members of the squad, Grieves, is transformed into a vampire, forcing him to battle his former friend Hawk.
Cast
- Casper Van Dien - Hawk
- Kevin Grevioux - Grieves
- Ray Park - Acrobatic Twins
- Danny Trejo - Montegna
- Tony Plana - Javier
- Pablo Espinosa - Jimmy
- Alexis Cruz - Alex
- Jennifer O'Dell - Dr. Laurie Williams
- Merritt Bailey - Merritt
- Ski Carr - Guillermo
- Lynda Carter - Colonel Jessica Weaver
- Joyce Giraud - Estrella
Development
Slayer was filmed in Puerto Rico on a $2,000,000 budget. The company Tata Elxsi Visual Computing Lab handled the post production. The film premiered on the Sci-Fi channel on 8 July 2006.[1]
Release
Slayer was released on region 1 DVD in the United States on November 21, 2006, distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment. The DVD included subtitles and Dolby Digital 5.1, as well as special features including a commentary by Van Dien and the director, and a photo and concept art gallery.[2]
Reception
The film received negative reviews from critics.[citation needed] Dread Central awarded the film two out of a possible five mugs of blood and said "Slayer is pretty much what you’d expect; a bit dull, full of hammy acting, logic gaps you could drive a truck through, and ridiculously sparse on the special effects." The website Absolute Horror awarded the film two out of four stars.[citation needed]
Background
Casper Van Dien and Kevin Grevioux would later appear in separate movies: Dracula 3000 and the Underworld series respectively, and both about vampires. Van Dien portrayed Van Helsing in his movie, while Grevioux played the Lycan Raze in the first Underworld film. Kevin VanHook also worked in DC Comics' vampire-themed comics, Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves.
