‘It feels nothing… it fears nothing… there is no escape.’
Xtro II: The Second Encounter is a 1990 Canadian-British science fiction action horror film directed by Harry Bromley Davenport (Xtro 3; Xtro; Whispers of Fear) from a screenplay by John A. Curtis (Within; Ripper), Stephen Lister, Robert Smith and Edward Kovach. Also known as Xtro 2: The Second Encounter
Main cast:
Jan-Michael Vincent (Ice Cream Man; Haunting Fear), Paul Koslo (Robot Jox; The Omega Man), Tara Buckman (Night Killer; Silent Night, Deadly Night), Jano Frandsen, Nicholas Lea, W.F. Wadden, Rolf Reynolds, Nic Amoroso, Nic Amoroso, Rachel Hayward.
Plot:
Scientists at a secret underground complex have found a way to travel to another dimension. Three dimension-travellers are the first to go through the gate – but are soon attacked by something that interrupts the communication with Earth.
Unfortunately, this horrible something uses the gate to travel back to the underground complex…
Reviews:
“While not awful, the rubber-suited alien isn’t close to being scary when he finally emerges from the shadows, and the few action set pieces, such as when an alien falls down an airshaft and is hacked to bits by an industrial fan, fail to impress. This is a shame, because the premise does have potential, especially the inter-dimensional travel twist that could have involved some impressive sequences…” Canuxploitation!
“Okay, the film has no actual redeeming qualities. Oh, it has little moments like Zunoski wearily repeating the impending radiation purge warning that they’ve been hearing for hours–but those are spread far and wide among lethargic “searching the corridors” sequences and bickering scenes between actors who aren’t much interested in actually acting.” The Terrible Claw Reviews
“Although a rip-off of Aliens, Xtro 2 eventually builds a momentum of suspense, action and characterization that sends it spiralling above other imitations … The monster is an effective one, the cast is sharp and the pyrotechnics and effects well produced.” John Stanley, Creature Features
” … this movie is a stunning bore, without a single good kill or even enough “so bad it’s good” moments to make it worthwhile … it’s a wretched film from the first frame. The effects are terrible, and apart from the odd chest-bursting ripoff shot, none of the kills are shot/edited properly.” Brian W, Collins, Horror Movie a Day
Buy: Amazon.com
Choice dialogue:
Dr. Ron Shepherd: “Julie, when are you gonna stop being such a scientist?”
Jedburg: “I haven’t been so scared since the IRS knocked on my door.”
Cast and characters:
- Jan-Michael Vincent as Dr. Ron Shepherd
- Paul Koslo as Dr. Alex Summerfield
- Tara Buckman as Dr. Julie Casserly
- Jano Frandsen as McShane
- Nicholas Lea as Baines
- W.F. Wadden as Jedburg
- Rolf Reynolds as Zunoski
Filming locations:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Image credits: Basement of Ghoulish Decadence | The Terrible Claw Reviews
