There is nothing quite like a movie experience that can claim a stronghold in uniqueness that allows it to stand heads or tails above any other film ever made. With all the movies being made and the ideas regurgitated time and time again I find it quite refreshing to sit down and watch something and be able to say to myself "now, there is something I have never seen before. "
Sure, there are lots of crazy animal flicks. That could be an entirely different blog in itself. As well, there have been countless maniacs on the loose in horror movies. But surely there has never been a crazy animal/maniac on the loose that can begin to be compared to the title creature of this sleazy little gem.
The tagline for this Italian cheese fest churned out in the 80's is as eye catching as its namesake character.
"He’s the critter from the shitter."
I am hooked already and I haven't even taken the DVD out of the case.
I actually saw this movie prior to snagging it recently on dvd a very long time ago. I used to trade videos with a guy named Jeff, who always seemed to manage coming up with some crazy shit that I had never even heard of before. Hence came this nifty little flick into my possession via a crappy, but overall watchable, dupe.
The ratman is a terrifying creature . . . . Okay, maybe that is the wrong choice of wording here, but I’m feeling far too kind as I write this.
This little guy was made by a mad doctor from artificially inseminating a monkey with rat sperm in hopes of winning a nobel prize.
As always in films that involve mad doctors and rat/monkey monster creatures, things never go as planned. The shit hits the fan and the ratman escapes and goes around the island slaughtering supermodels that are on a photo shoot.
As one would certainly expect the supermodel sub-plot ensures that there will be plenty of nudity before the ratman rips and tears and gobbles up his fleshy treats.
After all, what good is a babe massacre if the women cannot get undressed and take really long showers before they find themselves torn from titty to tail? It can be noted here that there are male victims as well. But nobody cares about them now, do we?
Ratman has all the trimmings and devices of a typical horror film. There are lead characters that follow the action because the police are too stupid to figure out anything. The aforementioned mad doctor. Bad dubbing. Even worse dialogue. Cheesy gore fx. Lots and lots of naked or near naked babe action.
One of the main characters is played by David Warbeck, who film fans will recognize from The Beyond and Zombie.
But the real star and main, insane and far from plain attraction of the film here is the title creature. The ratman himself.
Played by pint-sized actor Nelson De La Rosa, who once had bragging rights of being the smallest man in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
I can indeed imagine this role being a dream come true for the little dude. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if De La Rosa did the part for free. How else is a record holding dwarf going to be allowed to jump on people and gawk at babes in the shower and get away with it?
Murder and mayhem ensues as the ratman hides in closets, toilets, refrigerators, and even luggage. He chomps on necks, scratches people to death with his venomous claws. . . . Did I already mention that he gets to oogle scantily clad or naked models throughout the movie?
As cheesy horror movies go this one bakes the cake, takes it and throws it against a brick wall. It's enjoyable fun for the whole family from the first frame to the last. The reputation that it has garnered for itself should be ignored as its not nearly as sleazy and gory as all the hoopla will have you believe. Still, the movie is unique and a whole lot of fun if you're looking for a rollicking good time that demands not to be taken seriously.
The print used here was compiled from a variety of sources, of which the menu credits inform us "some are good. Some are not so good." Anybody looking for some eye popping digital transfer should be forewarned. The quality is very watchable though. Just not perfect. I am going to crawl out on a limb and sniff the cheesy flavored moon while guessing this film was made to be played by its built in audience. Such audiences certainly have lower standards when it comes to this whole transfer and presentation thing. It's got ratman. It's got boobies. We're good.
This curious oddity of a film is somewhat elusive in its availability, but well worth the search. I'm sure the secondary markets are flooded with copies like a backed up toilet. Don't miss out on some quality shit and reach out and grab yourself a copy of this wretched and unique little find. If you are one of those who feel compelled to search it out I am well certain that you will be rewarded like a furry scoundrel finding an unpainted rat chip in a block of fermented filth.
***Original post date 6/28/2010***
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