Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)

That was an excellent one.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

It is kind of odd why this franchise is still running, especially when it was 25 years since the first movie. And even more impressive since the movies were on a very steep downward hill with each passing movie beyond the first original "Tremors" movie.And now in 2015 we were subjected to a fifth installment into the franchise. But only this time we are outside of America, and it proves that the infestation of the graboids have spread to other countries as well. A good sense of evolution in terms of the franchise? Or an attempt of cashing in on a franchise that have already been milked dry? You decide...Regardless of that, then this fifth installment takes Burt Gummer (played by Michael Gross) - the only original member still left in the franchise - to Africa as his expertise experience in hunting graboids is requested by the African government. Here he has to work alongside with Travis B. Welker (Jamie Kennedy).Now, it was good enough to see Michael Gross return to this movie, but at the same time it just wasn't enough to really support this movie being made. And it didn't really help that the graboids themselves didn't really get much on-screen exposure, and they were just left to be a backdrop to the story. And I don't understand why the casting of Travis B. Welker went to Jamie Kennedy, weren't there anyone more talented willing to participate in the movie?"Tremors 5: Bloodlines" was a weak foray into the "Tremors" saga, and it was even weaker than the time they went back in time to tell the story of the graboids being present in the mid-1800s.Granted, I didn't have much of expectations to "Tremors 5: Bloodlines" because of the decline of the series with each movie. But still, it is something that I grew up with, so of course I had to watch this one too. Just don't expect too much from it, and it will turn out to be a generic and mediocre experience. Nothing much new to be had here that haven't already been used and established in the "Tremors" stories.

Tremors is one of my favorite "creature features", thanks to its perfect combination of humor, suspense, likable characters and excellent special effects made by the legendary studios Fantasy II Films and Amalgamated Dynamics; and everything was set in a wild and realistic setting which inspired horror in the daylight, something unusual in this genre. Afterwards, three sequels (well, two sequels and a prequel) were made, in which Michael Gross was established as the main actor, but they were mediocre. The last film of the series (Tremors 4: The Legend Begins) had been released in 2004, and it had been set in the Old West, so there isn't a substantial connection to the fifth film, and having watched it isn't indispensable to appreciate the lean pros of Tremors 5: Bloodlines. The transplant of the graboids to South Africa doesn't add too much novelty to the story; it was probably a financial strategy to take advantage of the tax incentives offered to North American producers by that country; but the arid settings are certainly attractive to look at. Unfortunately, co-screenwriters William Truesmith, M.A. Deuce and John Welpley weren't able to fully exploit the premise, telling a bland story with abundant ideas copied from various classic movies (seriously, that scene in the kitchen with the monster stalking two persons is a shameless copy of Jurassic Park). On the positive side, Gross carries the movie with aplomb once more, and besides, he has a good chemistry with Jamie Kennedy, who also makes a decent work in his role. However, my favorite element of Tremors 5: Bloodlines were the special effects from the Bulgarian studio Cinemotion, which brought the creatures to life displaying remarkable "shaders" and a perfect integration with the South African settings. Pity that the appearances of the monsters were too sporadic; but whatever way it is, an excellent work from a European studio which can easily compete with its North American colleagues. As I said on the beginning of this review, none of the sequels (or prequel) of Tremors are nowhere near the level of the original film, but at least, they are moderately entertaining despite their mediocrity. I didn't find Tremors 5: Bloodlines better or worse than its predecessors, something which invites me to give it a slight recommendation to those accustomed to watch "B" movies who know what is expecting them. Personally, I wouldn't dislike another visit to the graboids world, as long as they don't let other 11 years go by before making it; I wouldn't like to see Burt Gummer hunting monsters in a wheelchair, unless he gets pushed by Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward. That would be a genuinely glorious.

If you enjoyed tremors two and three you will enjoy this film. However the characters I felt were a little less appealing around Burt and I didn't particularly like Travis who felt like he was playing Grady from the second film. The obvious appeal to this film is once again the brilliant Burt Gummer who is played by Gross and there are some fantastic one liners and moments which should get you laughing out load. I am a massive fan of old style animatronics in these films but CGI was used, however the CGI was pretty good for a film on such a budget and was wwwaaayyy better than in T3 and T4. A little like recent Bond films there are several winks to previous films in this movie which are nice but you have to be a slight anorak to get them, which might put new viewers off as they won't get the jokes. I didn't think this film is as good as the original three films as they just have a nicer "feel" to them. However I did really enjoy this film and it is w worthy addition to the franchise. I hope the make a sixth film :)

First off I think its pretty obvious that only the character Burt can truly keep the Tremors franchise going at this point. And let's be honest the first one is the best one and also truly the only one that should have been made in my opinion however it's a cool franchise however cheesy it may have become.I thought Jamie Kennedy's character was funny enough and the hot African chick was a nice little add on. It's hilarious how some parts were reminiscent of Jurrasic Park. I was just glad they didn't make the graboid's claws tap on the ground.All and all it was entertaining. It was funny even though at times it tried too hard to be but I liked the updated graboid features including tentacles that detached. It was directed well and not shocking at all but it hints at a part six. If you're a tremors fan see it but if you've never seen a Tremors movie at all skip it. Although if you've never seen a Tremors movie see the first one. It's the only classic in a franchise of cheesy follow-ups.