Stanko's Stance

Director: Joe Dante
Writers: Richard Robinson, John Sayles
Actors: Bradford Dillman, Heater Menzies-Urich, Kevin McCarthy
Release Date: August 3, 1978

Biggest takeaways from Piranha:

• The stakes rise in dramatic fashion over the course of this movie. From a young couple, to a camp and then all of a sudden, the entire world touching oceans!
• I think I caught onto the fact that this was a little bit of a satirical movie too late. The overbearing government barging in didn’t cue it for me right away; it was only once the events leading directly up to the camp interaction.
• It was rather shocking when all the kids died at the helms of all the hungry piranhas. It was a drastic step I didn’t expect and it was honestly very welcome. I just wish the first 2/3 of the movie gripped me as much as the last act.
• The ending to the movie does not leave the audience on a happy note, and again that is welcomed. It is a lesser version of how The Thing (1982) ended, but that same we don’t know what’s around the next bend.
• The sound design for the piranhas is searing. It’ll stick with you.

STANKO RATING: D (1.5/5 Stars)