Film Overview"Manticore", a 2005 scary movie, is produced by the Sci-Fi Pictures Original brand name owned by the SyFy Channel. The movie, directed by Tripp Reed, takes its name from the monstrous animal of Persian mythology known as "Manticore". The film includes a remarkable encounter with the lethal legendary monster in the war-torn setting of Iraq.
Plot SummaryThe plot of "Manticore" begins with a tv reporter, Erica, and her cameraman, Bob, arriving in Iraq to cover the U.S. military actions. They get more than they imagined when a squad of American soldiers, led by Sergeant Baxter and Private Sulley, discover a hidden underground temple. Within it, they unknowingly release a manticore, a terrifying monster with the body of a lion, the face of a man, and a scorpion-like tail, which was sealed for centuries.
Upon the manticore's release, it wreaks havoc, triggering mass damage and death, requiring the soldiers and reporters to fight for their survival. The group's attempts to eliminate the animal with their conventional weapons prove useless due to the manticore's supernatural abilities.
Characters and PerformancesThe cast of "Manticore" consists of Robert Beltran as Sergeant Baxter and Jeff Fahey as Major Spence Kramer. The lead female character, Erica, is played by Heather Donahue. The characters are met with significant and suspenseful circumstances, providing performances centered around survival and guts in the middle of turmoil and horror.
In spite of its facility, "Manticore" tends to lean more into action instead of scary, with the characters being well-versed in fight, showing bravery and resourcefulness in their attempts to combat the manticore. Nevertheless, the film does not avoid illustrating the brutal and scary nature of the beast, using a lot of thrills and horror aspects to the viewers.
Conclusion and Overall Review"Manticore" integrates elements of scary, action, and military drama into a suspenseful film. The ancient legendary monster set versus the background of contemporary warfare uses a fascinating contrast and property. However, the film's low-budget nature is evident in the special impacts utilized to render the manticore, and the story, while interesting, can feel foreseeable sometimes. In spite of these downsides, "Manticore" can be appreciated for its special setting and storyline.
Nevertheless, it must be noted that the film got mixed reviews by critics and audiences alike. Some praised the movie's premise and action sequences, while others criticized its low-budget execution and under-developed characters. In the end, the success of "Manticore" mainly boils down to specific audience choices for B-category scary motion pictures layered with military action and mythical creatures.
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