A film from my youth. This baby was released the same year I graduated High School. Man, I'm old.

From director Lewis Teague who had made a career out of making horror films based around nature and animals comes what just may be his finest moment. A lot of folks think that CUJO is his masterpiece and I would have to agree that it is right up there but Alligator holds a special place. A roaring tribute to late 70's, early 80's film making Alligator is a one stop shop for all the cliches that todays films parody. The story is simple and fantastic. A young boy purchases a baby alligator which he keeps in an aquarium in his room. Dad ends up flushing the little guy down the crapper. We see him swirling, swirling and then he's gone. We watch as the exits the sewer pipe deep in the bowels of the city. It seems though that some chemical company has also been dumping some stuff they shouldn't have into that same sewer and when our little pet starts feeding he over the course of about 12 years grows into a huge hulking monster.

Folks start showing up dead in and around the sewer entrances and our local cop with a bad attitude is put on the case of what appears to be a serial killer. Things just don't add up though and before long our hero has figured out that what he is dealing with is no man but a man made monster.

Filled to the rims with TV actors that anyone over the age of 30 will recognize the minute they see them ( you know, the ones that you know the fact but not their names) the film is joyfully over acted and completely enjoyable. A little bloodier then I remember from my youth this transfer is freaking beautiful. The film has never looked so good, actually it looks so good that some of the iffy special effects end up looking worse for the ware but a small trade off for the rest of the film to shine so brightly.

The scene where our super gator breaks through the city street is great and I love how the alligator really doesn't move much or quickly yet people seem to get caught in its mouth and can't escape its death grip. Laughable, but in a good way, if that makes any sense.

The climatic attack scene where our giant friend shows up at a wedding being attended by all the major players in the film as well as all the important people from the city (mayor, police chief, etc) is well worth the wait all though you see the set up coming from a mile away and again it is laughable but in a good way.

The first in a long line of memorable early 80's monster fare, ALLIGATOR is a must own title and should be required viewing for all horror fans young and old.

ALLIGATOR is available now from LIONSGATE.

Go get in right now, you won't be sorry.