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TREMORS / TREMORS 2: AFTERSHOCKS (2-PACK)

The first film, which opened in 1990, benefited enormously from near perfect casting. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward both had charisma to spare, but neither were so vain an actor that they were unwilling to play a couple of redneck losers who are in way over there heads. Michael Gross was a real surprise as a survivalist far removed from his FAMILY TIES character, Reba McEntire showed she acting chops, and cute Finn Carter was the perfect tomboy scientist. And even that list doesn't pay proper homage to the smaller roles, many populated by character actors of the highest caliber.

With the perfect cast in hand, the film's producers (who included uber-producer Gale Anne Hurd) lined up the perfect special effects team to realize the giant worms (nicknamed "Graboids" in the film) that serve as the monsters of the story. Under the guidance of Academy Award winning effects men Robert and Dennis Skotak, the behemoth wrigglers become utterly convincing, yet never slip into the overkill of effects for the sake of effects. Even the film's small desert town setting was perfect for both the needs of the story, and to pay tribute to the works of director Jack (TARANTULA) Arnold, who often set his '50s monster tales in a similar locale.

As fine as TREMORS' various elements were, it's really the script by S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock that makes the film so special. The writing duo manage the enviable feat of creating a story that is at once a loving homage to classic big monster movies of the '50s and a spoof of the same. The film's humor grows naturally out of the situations and the characters, never really making fun of the story or the people who inhabit it - yet frequently bringing a smile to the viewer's face.

If TREMORS was a rare [IMG2R]bulls-eye - which proved to have a high re-watchability factor when it hit video and TV then the inevitable direct-to-video (DTV) sequel was nearly as much of a miracle. Almost from the start, DTV efforts were fast, cheap, quick-profit motivated fare with little interest in quality or even entertainment value. While director Ron Underwood had moved on to bigger films (CITY SLICKERS), the original writers returned to their concept with Wilson assuming directorial duties and Underwood taking an executive producer credit. The result was a film that brought back many of the factors that made the original such fun yet also introduced variations that made the sequel surprisingly fresh.

Bacon was too big a star for a second visit by this point, but Ward and Gross returned with the premise that both their characters have continued in the field of Graboid hunting. The two, along with a fanboy type who sees Ward as a virtual superhero, end up in Mexico where an oil drilling facility has found that the "worm has turned" for them. Working with an attractive local geologist (Helen Shaver) who's just the right age for Ward, and a new partner, Ward and Gross make quick work of the Graboids - but there is something else underfoot here.

TREMORS 2: AFTERSHOCKS starts out as the typical sequel, simply offering more of the same, but it claims its own ground by introducing a new, smaller, faster, breed of Graboids, which are very well realized through a mix of full size puppets, animatronics and CGI. The relationship between Ward and Shaver is smoothly handled and the film manages to capture much of the same amazing mix of suspense, humor, spoof and homage that the first film did.

DTV sequels rarely come close to their predecessors it took five HOWLING follow-ups before the sixth became the first one worth watching but Maddock and Wilson avoid the traps that waylay their DTV competition by demonstrating a continued interest in their basic concept and a love of their characters. A third sequel will be unveiled soon, this time with only Gross returning among the main characters. However, TREMORS 3: BACK TO PERFECTION will take us back to the little town where it all started. Wilson and Maddock are back for another round as well, so there is good reason to think they just might pull it off again.

For TREMORS fans, this 2-disc set is a real bargain. It features the first two films as well as a decent selection of extras, including making-of features, trailers, outtakes, an original ending, photos, production notes, bios, and more.