The Small Town Summer Sci-Fi Double Bill

Feature One: Slither (2006)…….……95 min
Feature Two: The Faculty (1998)…104 min
Combined Length: …………………..199 min (3hrs 19min)

Slither.
Written & Directed By: James Gunn.
Starring: Nathen Fillion, Elizabeth Banks & Michael Rooker.

The Faculty.
Directed By: Robert Rodriguez.
Written By: David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel & Kevin Williamson.
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Selma Hayek, Elijah Wood & Robert Patrick.

Why on Earth?

Two films that tell the tale of a small town overrun by extraterrestrial parasites. Both pay homage to their B-movie, ‘Body Snatcher’ roots, (The Faculty in particular, dedicating a whole scene to discussing the legacy of ‘The Body Snatchers’) with dark humour and enough set pieces and body horror to keep the adrenaline pumping.

Ideal Viewing Conditions.

Best reserved for one of those balmy summer nights, preferably with as many friends as you can cram into your living room. Get your beers in, your snacks and your popcorn to increase that party atmos. Dim the lights, press play and have a few good times. For bonus credits ensure that at least one of your number is the squeamish type – it will increase the enjoyment level ten fold for everyone else as you all laugh at how much of a wuss they are being. (Particularly once Slither gets into its second act)

Soundtrack Highlights.

“Sad World” – Simon Steadman (Slither)
“Every Woman In The World – Air Supply” (Slither)
“Baby I Love You” – Eric Ambel (Slither)
“The Kids Aren’t Alright” – The Offspring (The Faculty)
“I’m Eighteen” – Creed (The Faculty)
“Another Brick in the Wall” – Class of ‘99 (The Faculty)
“Stay Young” – Oasis (The Faculty)
“Changes” – Shawn Mullins (The Faculty)

Six Degrees of Separation.

Michael Rooker stars as the mutant antagonist of Slither and can also be found in Mallrats alongside Ben Affleck, who was the bomb in Phantoms, which featured Rose McGowan, whose most memorable role was in Scream, which was written by Kevin Williamson, who also wrote the screenplay for The Faculty. McGowan also appears in Grindhouse for which Robert Rodriguez was a contributor and just happened to direct The Faculty.

Ambiguous Associations. [Spoilers May Follow]

If it pleases you, it is possible to imagine that the two films share a continuity. Using the above play order, you can watch the aliens arrive on a meteorite, infect and overrun the town of  Wheelsy, fail and get destroyed by our small band of plucky heroes; only for a second survivor to crawl out of the meteorite (courtesy of a post-credit sequel hook). This surviving menace then moves on, attempts to infect and overrun Herrington High and the surrounding town, fail and get destroyed by our small band of plucky heroes.
Also, if you want to push this flimsy metaphor beyond its breaking point, you could speculate that, while they are of the same species, they are of different genders (accounting for the differences of appearance, motivation and behaviour). Using this scenario, you can compare and contrast each antagonist’s method of domination: The masculine method, presented in Slither, which employs a direct approach involving hunting and impregnation; and the Feminine, in The Faculty, which uses subterfuge and infiltration to gain control.

Further Reading.

Two films not enough to satisfy? Why not seek out these as well then:

• Invasion of The Body Snatchers (1956) – Original version based on the novel The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney (1955) that informs The Faculty.
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) – Remake starring Donald Sutherland.
• Night of the Creeps (1986) – Inspiration for Slither.
• Critters (or any of it’s sequels) (1986) – Less slimy, more silly.
• Body Snatchers (1993) – Another remake.
• The Puppet Masters (1994) – Based on the novel of the same name by Robert A. Heinlein (1951). Starring Donald Sutherland (again).

Summary.

Contemporary chapters within the traditional archetype of ‘parasitic-critters-which-infest-the-body-of-their-host-and-exert-dominance-using-mind-control’ that is nearly as old a cinema itself. In short, two films cut from the same goo-stained cloth. So if you have them both sitting on your shelf at home (or can otherwise gain access to them) why not indulge in a double dose of silly, slimy, shocking fun.