TREMORS 2: AFTERSHOCKS

US, 1996, 100 minutes, Colour.
Fred Ward, Christopher Garton, Helen Shaver, Michael Grose.
Directed by S.S. Wilson.

Tremors was a very popular thriller at the beginning of the 1990s. It combined all the creature shock with some humour and irony. It also made comments on the environment and industry.

The sequel is more in the comic schlock-horror vein, directed by its co-writer S.S. Wilson and executive produced by the director of the original film, Ron Underwood. There are difficulties with creatures under the ground again, disturbing an oilfield in Mexico and killing the workers. The creature has no eyes but responds to sound. The hero of the first film, Fred Ward, is called in and is assisted by an over-enthusiastic young fan, Christopher Garton. Helen Shaver is at the oilfield if for no other reason than to provide a love interest. Michael Grose is an eccentric creature hunter.

The dialogue is more corny than funny, the situations are fairly predictable – and Fred Ward hams it up excessively.

Christopher Garton. Helen Shaver is at the oilfield if for no other reason than to provide a love interest. Michael Grose is an eccentric creature hunter.

The dialogue is more corny than funny, the situations are fairly predictable – and Fred Ward hams it up excessively.

1. The popularity of the original film? The enjoyment of a sequel? Better or not?

2. The Mexican settings, the oilfields, the open spaces? Earl Bassett’s caravan and home? The outdoors? The musical score, especially for atmospherics?

3. The creatures, the tremors, burrowing under the earth, pursuing the victims? The visuals of their appearance, devouring humans? The mutant baby creatures? The special effects, the confrontations with the creatures?

4. Mexico, the difficulties of the oilfield, shutting down, the Mexican authorities, asking Earl Bassett to come? On-site in Mexico, some of them being killed?

5. Earl Bassett, his reluctance to go, not making any money out of the first adventure, people commenting on the video rights and the games…? Grady and his trying to persuade him to go? Their travelling together, the computer equipment, tracking the creatures, the toy cars and the explosions? The prospect of the money? The dangers, the adventures, the threats? Burt and his eccentricities? Kate and the irony of her being the Playboy Playmate of 1974, the picture in Earl’s trailer and the symbol of the unattainable? The romance? The shared dangers, the explosions, destroying all the creatures?

6. Grady, young, enthusiastic, the fan, persuading Earl to go, sharing the adventures, mistakes, the exhilaration of destroying the creatures? The dangers? The final confrontations?

7. Kate, on hand to work, the love interest, the bond with Earl?

8. Burt, the phone call, his coming, driving his truck, the danger from the creatures, making mistakes?

9. The action adventure aspects, the comic adventures? A by-the-book sequel?