This film is essentially the bear-related equivalent of Shark Attack 3: Megalodon- though 30+ years it's predecessor. But it's also a kind of a Jaws ripoff- made the year after.
It's about a giant killer Pleistocene era Grizzly bear, that has somehow managed to survive into modern times unbeknownst to the human population, and has suddenly decided to go on a killing spree. The killer Grizzly seems to be raging through a National Park, where it kills and eats a number of unsuspecting tourists and park rangers.
There are a couple of acting bears in the film. Though at least one of them seems to be a black bear. Similar to SA3:M, the film also seems to use some stock footage images of bears to fill in the gaps. At first we only observe the bear from perspective- except when it's killing, during which we are shown the swiping of puppetted paws or an angry growl. But he does eventually reveal himself in all his Grizzlyness.
A park ranger named Kelly has made it his mission to figure out what the hell is going on; why people are turning up mauled and eaten. While a few men are camping out, a baby bear wanders into their camp. They capture it (thinking it's the dino-era Grizzly's baby) with plans on using it as "live bait" to lure in the killer giant.
One of the men recounts an old native tale about a tribe of Indians who were mauled and eaten by a ravenous "herd" (is that the right term?) of Grizzlies. He speculates that this bear is a surviving members of this herd- having gained a taste for human flesh.
There are a number of kills in the film, but the best one is when the Grizzly kills a guy by knocking over his fire tower. I mean, he didn't even eat that guy...he just seemed to murder him for the fun of it!
While everyone is trying to help Kelly figure out what is going on, the film's resident "Grizzly Man" believes he has the ability to capture and kill the bear, himself.
After scrapping the baby-bear-as-bait plan, they opt to lure the killer Grizzly in with the carcass of a buck. This is where sh*t starts to get a little ridiculous. When the hunting party sights the bear, they run after it as it seems to flee. Grizzly Man then decides to try and bait the bear into a vulnerable position, but he ends being attacked and buried. Inevitably, leading to the film's preposterous conclusion (think Andy Sidaris' Hard Ticket To Hawaii).
While by no means a masterpiece, the film loses even more points in my book for it's totally obvious use of product placement (being 1976 I'm sure you can guess what the product is)!
The whole thing ends up being pretty similar to something like Killdozer, despite having a less memorable and less intriguing concept. It's also missing the tension and frightening moments, that films like Jaws and Cujo have to offer. I suppose it is notable for being an early "High Concept" ripoff of Jaws. But don't fret if you miss this one.
3 out of 10.
It's about a giant killer Pleistocene era Grizzly bear, that has somehow managed to survive into modern times unbeknownst to the human population, and has suddenly decided to go on a killing spree. The killer Grizzly seems to be raging through a National Park, where it kills and eats a number of unsuspecting tourists and park rangers.
There are a couple of acting bears in the film. Though at least one of them seems to be a black bear. Similar to SA3:M, the film also seems to use some stock footage images of bears to fill in the gaps. At first we only observe the bear from perspective- except when it's killing, during which we are shown the swiping of puppetted paws or an angry growl. But he does eventually reveal himself in all his Grizzlyness.
A park ranger named Kelly has made it his mission to figure out what the hell is going on; why people are turning up mauled and eaten. While a few men are camping out, a baby bear wanders into their camp. They capture it (thinking it's the dino-era Grizzly's baby) with plans on using it as "live bait" to lure in the killer giant.
One of the men recounts an old native tale about a tribe of Indians who were mauled and eaten by a ravenous "herd" (is that the right term?) of Grizzlies. He speculates that this bear is a surviving members of this herd- having gained a taste for human flesh.
There are a number of kills in the film, but the best one is when the Grizzly kills a guy by knocking over his fire tower. I mean, he didn't even eat that guy...he just seemed to murder him for the fun of it!
While everyone is trying to help Kelly figure out what is going on, the film's resident "Grizzly Man" believes he has the ability to capture and kill the bear, himself.
After scrapping the baby-bear-as-bait plan, they opt to lure the killer Grizzly in with the carcass of a buck. This is where sh*t starts to get a little ridiculous. When the hunting party sights the bear, they run after it as it seems to flee. Grizzly Man then decides to try and bait the bear into a vulnerable position, but he ends being attacked and buried. Inevitably, leading to the film's preposterous conclusion (think Andy Sidaris' Hard Ticket To Hawaii).
While by no means a masterpiece, the film loses even more points in my book for it's totally obvious use of product placement (being 1976 I'm sure you can guess what the product is)!
The whole thing ends up being pretty similar to something like Killdozer, despite having a less memorable and less intriguing concept. It's also missing the tension and frightening moments, that films like Jaws and Cujo have to offer. I suppose it is notable for being an early "High Concept" ripoff of Jaws. But don't fret if you miss this one.
3 out of 10.