Bad Taste (1989) Horror Movie Review

by Grant
(Bako, CA)

Reader Submitted Review

Bad Taste - aka: The Bastards have landed

Release: June, 1989
Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring:
Terry Potter as Ozzy/3rd Class Alien
Pete O'Herne as Barry/3rd Class Alien
Craig Smith as Giles/3rd Class Alien
Mike Minett as Frank/3rd Class Alien
Peter Jackson as Derek/Robert
Doug Wren as Lord Crumb


Filmed over four years and with a budget that could send an American to college for one term; "Bad Taste" stands as an example of what horror movie fans can achieve with a little creativity and understanding parents.

Set in the 1980s New Zealand countryside, Bad Taste tells the story of the Astro Investigation and Defense Service (AIDS) investigating disappearances. Derek (played by Peter Jackson), Frank, Ozzy and Barry discover an alien plot to take over the galaxy's highly profitable fast food market. Apparently humans have become the galaxy's delicacy. The team must hold themselves together (literally) long enough to thwart this evil plan.

Bad Taste is cheesy, gory and disgusting and looks like a low-budget film, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Peter Jackson and his friends got together every weekend to film this horror/sci-fi/comedy epic. Like The Frighteners and Dead Alive, Bad Taste is playful with the horror genre, but not disrespectful. Fans of Evil Dead 2 and Dead Alive should enjoy this film.

Before Lord of the Rings, before King Kong, and before the critically acclaimed Beautiful Creatures Peter Jackson was pumping out fantastic films for counterculture fans.

If you would like to explore Jackson's early work be sure get a copy of "Meet the Feebles" as well.