27th Jul2023

‘The Red Tide Massacre’ Review

by James Rodrigues

Stars: Rich Sands, Michael Paré, Susan Elle, Sam Schweikert, Gina Vitori, Jackie Kay, Duane Whitaker, Elizabeth Trieu, Zack Kozlow | Written by Palmer Edward | Directed by John A. Russo, Gavin Peretti, Joseph M. Setele

On-screen text opens the film to highlight the harm caused by the 2018 red tide outbreak, as over $10 million in tourist money was lost alongside an unfathomable massacre of 2000 tons of marine life. That real-life event is used as the basis for this feature, directed by John A. Russo, Gavin Peretti, and Joseph M. Setele.

The contamination of water from red tide helps convicted cop killer Al David (Rich Sands) somehow escape from custody. An ensuing chase ends with the convict falling into the water after being shot by Sheriff Tom Fuller (Michael Paré), which results in David being infected by the polluted water and transforming into a monster.

During this, television reporter Rio Lee (Susan Elle) is trying to break a story which the sheriff keeps burying. She forms a relationship with the sheriff’s son, Tommy (Sam Schweikert), who usually runs a diving shop. Those plans are changed courtesy of the red tide, resulting in him helping his dad while his shop is closed. This puts Tommy at a crossroads regarding what path to take; continue running his shop or follow his ancestors into law enforcement.

The potential is there for Palmer Edward’s screenplay to craft a message of environmental urgency, with the rampaging monster embodying the nasty effects such mistreatment of mother nature has on the people. What a shame such a message is relegated to being tacked onto the end, where it holds little effect following a dull tale packed with lacking character drama that showcases the stiff performances.

A tiresome cycle is followed as lacking characters are killed off, while the police are too far behind to do anything substantial, and somebody mentions the words “skunk ape”. This does result in some decent kills, particularly a decapitation, although these are rare when so many instances disappointingly cut away, presumably for financial reasons. This may also be why the monster design feels lacklustre, resembling a drunken attendee of a costume party who got sentenced to Guantanamo Bay.

The Red Tide Massacre closes with a “Where are they now?” montage of surviving characters, yet this lame gag only highlights how little one cares about the characters.

* 1/5

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