When I received the Blu-ray for Piranha 3DD, easily one of the worst films of the year so far (my review here), I sort of laughed, imagining I would never even remove the plastic wrap. Then I flipped it over to see an audio commentary with director John Gulager, producer and co-writer Joel Soisson and co-writer Marcus Dunstan. I've done articles detailing tidbits learned from audio commentaries before such as David Fincher's for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (find that here) and Kevin did one for David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method (find that here). Of course, those were looking at films we tend to take a little more seriously, but I thought this might be fun so what the hell.
Listed at 83 minutes the film actually runs around only 70, but Gulager, Soisson and Dunstan are sure to use all 83. Separating the trio out isn't exactly easy, though Gulager is the clearest of the bunch with something of a nasally tone to his voice but the other two weren't as easily distinguishable so I apologize if I accidentally credit the wrong person with the wrong quote. I believe I have them straight, but I felt it was important to make the statement.
From almost the opening moments it's quite clear all three of them know this is a terrible movie, but none are willing to admit it. They laugh and make small jabs at the stupidity, but never really come out and own it... at least not entirely. Very rarely do they take anything all that seriously and it's painfully obvious they didn't make any real effort at making a great movie.
With that said, let's boil down a few specifics.
THE SCRIPT...
READ GARY BUSEY'S MIND
Photo: Radius TWC
In the opening sequence, which was shot in a big pool in a shut down boys home, Gary Busey and Gulager's father, Clu Gulager, play a pair of red necks that happen upon a dead cow floating in the water. After reaching the cow it begins to fart out piranha eggs. Busey's character takes a Zippo lighter to inspect the situation, the cow farts again and ultimately explodes.
As this scene is opening, Dunstan relays a story involving his first encounter with Busey who isn't seen again after this opening sequence:
"At 2:30 in the morning, on the night of this sequence, featuring a young Clu Gulager, and young Gary Busey and a cow with strange indigestion. John Gulager called and our conversation was Clu was going to say a line as he erupted from the water and ultimately was going to succumb to piranha bites, and then, in the background, 'John! John! John! Here, gimme that phone!' Who is this?'
And all of a sudden Gary Busey and I were on the phone and I had never spoken with Uncle Red from Silver Bullet and, 'Who is this?!' 'My name is Marcus.' 'Who are you?' 'One of the writers sir.' 'Oh, this script read my mind.'"
After this story John said, "[Gary] said how much he loved the dialogue before we shot it and then he said none of it."
UNDERWATER SEGUES
One of the more amateur elements of the film are the continued use of underwater shots to segue from one scene to the next, often showing nothing but a plant underwater or a cavernous area. It's an easy criticism to make as it only appears to pad the already short running time and it's stupidity isn't lost on Soisson who brings it up more than once saying, "Meanwhile, underwater, a tree is wet" and "And there is an underwater shot of a plant."
Oddly enough, Soisson is also the only person to try to discuss the film in any kind of artful manner, frequently talking about how great the colors are and at one point saying, "The visual flow of the movie is very nice." Nice? You mean except for the multitude of ambiguous underwater shots right?
FINE DININ'
Piranha 3DD
Piranha 3DD, directed by John Gulager, was released by Dimension Films and hit theaters on June 1, 2012.Links from Other Sites You May Like
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Follow up story: Several RoS members die of alcohol poisoning.
Yeah, no kidding. A worry to be sure. :)
I don't know what it is about this movie. When I saw this in theaters (yes I did go and purchase those damn 3D glasses), I thought it was incredibly stupid and arguably the worst movie I've seen released this year. Nonetheless, I can see myself having a ton of fun re-watching Piranha 3DD at random points in the future when I get tired of watching serious stuff. Maybe it's the over the top cheesiness that I find entertaining? Maybe it's the waterpark setting that I think is fun? It certainly isn't the script, the acting, or the direction.
As for the drinking game, I think it would be a great time, but I'm probably going to have to play by myself since there is no chance I'm convincing a group of my friends to come over on Friday night to pound beers and watch this.
Not enough alcohol being drunk to get me to watch this again. Maybe add another rule: Take a drink anytime the movie Piranha 3DD is on.
A fish walks on land...? Brad...you have to understand that I have to see this movie now.
And you are now properly prepared. :)
This is spot on. Its funny how you follow your "The girl with the dragon tattoo" commentary article with this, what could be next?
Lucky I already saw it because that drinking game is dangerous.
Terrible movie, I think the 2010 version of Piranha was great though! The perfect combination of comedy and horror! The only things I liked about Piranha 3DD were Katrina Bowden (that fantastic line but horrific dialogue during the 'penis scene') and Danielle Panabaker (I'm a big fan of her)! 2 great actresses wasted...
You actually sat through this again. That's something I couldn't do. Props for that. Glad to see I wasn't the only one appalled at the "quality" of the writing in the bedroom scene. Watching the film, I genuinely felt bad for Katrina Bowden having to say that bullshit. She's actually not a bad actress at all when given material that isn't of the "please cum inside me" variety. Have you seen Tucker and Dale vs. Evil?
That dialogue scene gives me hope... hope that even I can make it in this game.