Available on DVD today is the thriller The Dinosaur Experiment.
The movie centers around a reclusive scientist, Dr. Cane, who lives in the town of Fossil Ridge. Fossil Ridge is about 100 miles from the nearest big city and 200 miles from the nearest airport. It’s very secluded.
The heroine in this film is Abbi Whitecloud. She’s a twenty-something woman who lives alone. Her mother had passed away a few months earlier. She was attacked and killed out in the woods.
Abbi’s mom purchased a used truck from a local slime-ball Billy Wayne who runs the only gas station in town and a greasy diner called Swing & Dine. Abbi is forced to work for him until she can pay off the truck that her mother had purchased from him. He even forces her to wear “bootie shorts”, crop tops and high heels (he’s VERY sexist and downright disgusting).
At an area college a trio of friends – Sheldon, Lucas and “Beast” – are on their way to Lake Tahoe to go skiing during a college break. Their car runs out of gas and ends up getting pushed to the same gas station where Abbi works (which, as I mentioned, is the only gas station in town).
Also showing up at the gas station is a funk singer named Little Willie and his backup singers Josie and Kolin.
Both the college students and Little Willie need gas (I think he had car troubles but in the movie it appears that he needs gas). The gas station has no gas because Dr. Cane had come by earlier in the day and took all the gas for his generator.
Billy Wayne doesn’t care and takes off for home leaving Abbi behind to lock up and deal with the stranded motorists.
A few of the people in the group decide to head to Dr. Cane’s ranch to see if they can buy some gas from him. Others stay behind at the gas station.
While walking on the dark road the group doesn’t seem to notice the 6′ Velociraptor that is following closely behind them (how they could not notice him I have no idea).
The group happens upon Dr. Cane who had a heart attack and is lying in his driveway. Abbi goes to look for his medication while the others tend to him. “Beast” refuses to go inside Dr. Cane’s home because he’s “tripping” on drugs and thinks the lawn flamingo is going to kill him.
“Beast” happens upon a chicken coop filled with chickens that have teeth – but they are not chickens – they are baby dinosaurs.
The group soon learns that Dr. Cane has been hiding a secret – he’s been raising dinosaurs on his ranch. He has several dinosaurs including two huge ones.
As you can imagine the dinosaurs escape and end up chasing the group around, while also reaping havoc on the group back at the gas station.
How do you stop dinosaurs? Will the group be able to survive the night so that they can seek help in the morning? To find out you need to pick up a copy of The Dinosaur Experiment.
Lorenzo Lamas is also in this film. He plays a federal agent sent to Fossil Ridge to investigate the murders (unbeknown to him they are done by dinosaurs). Honestly I don’t think he was even needed in the film. Never once did he set eyes on a dinosaur. It’s almost as if that whole story line (the investigators trying to figure out who or what is killing people) was a different film. I feel that it was redundant.
The movie has sex (nothing too graphic), several mentions about women’s breasts and Abbi running around for the first part of the film in barely there clothing. All of which I could have done without and I don’t feel was necessary for the film.
Do you ever watch movies on the SyFy Channel? Film’s like Piranhaconda, Dinocroc vs. Supergator, Frankenfish and the cult favorite Sharknado? If you have seen any of these movies, or just about any made for TV movie that appears on the SyFy Channel, then you will know exactly what you can expect from The Dinosaur Experiment. The movie is not scary, not in the least. Even when people are killed by the dinosaurs it’s just a bunch of blood and a few pieces of intestines here and there. The movie is cheesy and more like a comedy then a sci-fi thriller or horror flick. You’ll laugh. Its too kitschy not to laugh.
If you are into silly made-for-TV movies you’ll enjoy this flick. If you are thinking this film is like Jurassic Park meets small town USA, think again. This film is FAR from the quality of Jurassic Park.
I do not know if there will be any bonus features. I only received a screener to review.
Here is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Maralea says
We do occasionally watch movies on the Syfy channel. This looks like a movie my husband and I would enjoy. Thanks for the sneak peek!