Film Review: BLACK SWARM (2007)

Genetically engineered killer wasps are the subject of Black Swarm (2007). Yet another monster on the loose film except that this film barely has a plot to sit on. Jane Kozik (Sarah Allen) returns to the hometown she grew up in with her young daughter Kelsey (Rebecca Windheim) in order to start a new life as the new Sherriff in town. She doesn't get off to a good start as she soon has a murder on her hands and it looks like the victim was stung to death by wasps. With the help of an ex-boyfriend (who also happens to be the local insect pest control) she tries to uncover the mystery of the murder as well as the sudden change overtaking many of the townspeople. The two soon discover that the local bee-keeper Eli Giles (Robert England) is really a geneticist who has created a deadly killer wasp that threatens to turn everyone into mindless drones.

The film delves into the whole genetic-engineering science-gone-awry sub-genre so there is nothing new here but the film does allow character actor England to shine as a misguided scientist who tries to right his wrongs. The thing that makes this film actually watchable is the genuine rapport that England has with young actress Windheim, who shines as the young smart-for-her-age Kelsey who befriends Eli.

The CGI isn't that bad but its not that good either. The design for the wasps is cool but when there are a swarm of them the subpar CGI shows through. This and the fact that the makeup effects for the human drones isn't all that good either and you end up with just another cookie-cutter horror film that doesn't amount to much other than a credit on England's ever expanding resume.