Infestation (2009)

Infestation (2009)
written and directed by
Kyle Rankin


Remember back when Ben Affleck and Matt Damon had that kick ass show called Project Greenlight, and how after three seasons only one movie was worth a damn. That being John Gluger's Feast, seasons three winner.

However, season two saw winners from my home state, Maine, Kyle Rankin and Efram Potelle won for their submission into project greenlight and were granted a million dollar budget to make a movie. That movie ended up being Battle of Shaker Heights, since then either director has a lucrative if unknown career.

Infestation should change that. It didn't, but it marks Kyle Rankin's superb talent for effects, gags and writing.

One fine morning, Cooper wakes up goes to work and realizes every one is tangled up in webs at the corporate office. He finally shows work ethic and initiative to keep himself and band of misfit employees alive. However, it soon becomes a troop of four as the gang makes head way to the city where all the bugs seemed to be migrating from in effort to destroy the hive.

The premise, simple and one we've seen a thousand times before, think, Slugs, Swarm, Squirm, Bugs, Infested, and any other insect movie you've seen (Mosquito Man, no no, not to be confused with Mosquito Coast). However, this one is very funny, with plenty of sarcastic humor, funny one liners and creatures that sometimes shock. Its great when a bug movie gives promise and lives up to it, each human that gets bit by the bugs becomes catatonic and starts turning into an eight legged insect. Can you say awesome, not until you see the dog that gets bit, it is laugh out loud awesome.

Its part Night of the Living Dead, They Came From Within, Ticks and any misfit romance movie you've seen, mixed with a unique blend of humor, heart and great performances from lead actor Chris Marquette and Ray Wise who plays Coopers father.

I was lucky enough to see this at the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) sponsored by the Railroad Square Cinema. This was a highlight for the festival that year and in attendance, Kyle Rankin, who after the movie was over had a very brief question and answer.

Suffice to say, I shook the man's hand.

Seek this movie out!