Terrarium (2003)

TERRARIUM is an indie-budget science fiction thriller that was shot in somebody's back yard, so you get an idea of just how cheap it really. The story has a bunch of astronauts crash-landing their spacecraft on an alien planet, where they're trapped and attacked by an alien with glowing red eyes. This single location outing contains laughable production values, cardboard sets, and actors who never have a chance. It's painfully slow to boot, and really has to be seen to be believed.

Twelve astronauts who volunteer to pioneer a colony on a newly discovered planet are awoke from fifteen years of cybersleep after their spaceship crashes on a mysterious planet. Moreover, there's a ferocious and carnivorous simian humanoid beast on board their vessel with them. Writer/director Mike Conway relates the engrossing and entertaining story at a brisk pace, milks plenty of nerve-rattling tension from the claustrophobic opening act, delivers a decent smattering of gore, and stages the thrilling action in the lively and exciting last third with flair and skill. The game no-name cast give acceptable performances, with especially nice work from Tim Daley as the stoic Captain Carl Halsey, Jason Hall as the sarcastic Leonard Parks, Shae Wilson as the feisty Dena Warren, and Conway as the optimistic Wayne Bower. In addition, the plot keeps you guessing throughout about what's really going on, the alien creatures look pretty cool, and the CGI effects are surprisingly passable. Both the fairly polished cinematography and the rousing synthesizer score are up to speed. Plus it's done with a genuine go-for-it enthusiasm and sincerity that's impossible to either resist or dislike. Considering the modest budget, this one's really an impressive piece of genre filmmaking that combines horror and science fiction elements into a solid and enjoyable whole.

I felt this was worse then Plan 9 from Outer Space. Cheesy costumes, poor script, low budget Special effects and just poor acting. I felt like I was watching one of those old drive in B movies but worse. If you're looking for something to just kill a hour and a half or so this is it. You never really get a good look at the cheap gorilla suit alien eating the crew. The acting is so lame I could have done just as bad.The aliens that control the " Creature " look like monkey masks, the weapons the aliens use look a lot like cheap fireworks and cheap one at that.What is really bad is that I had problems just finding this movie on IMDb. I had to search by one of the actresses names to look it up, Unless you like campy movies, steer clear of this one.

I had been waiting for so long. I planned on buying it when it was Terrarium. Waited too long and found out it was no longer for sale and the movie title had changed because it was bought by Lionsgate. Rented it yesterday and finally got to see the movie. And while not a big budget/Hollywood extravaganza this movie is great. I'm glad the movie didn't have big effects. I think it would have taken away from the movie and what the director accomplished with the budget he worked with. Also how many nobudget films can you name that are scifi besides CL.one, Primer etc; and nobudget films that aren't zombie flicks or slasher etc.? The acting wasn't Oscar winning, but they were believable. I like the ending. It keeps you wondering what will happen next; instead of being told.