Concorde Pictures released Food of the Gods II in the United States on 19 May 1989.
This film is a hoot! It has many scenes that are explicitly comedic. One is almost unbelievable until you see it. The main character injects himself with the growth serum and then has sex with his girlfriend. He grows very large, and his girlfriend apparently really appreciates it.
But most scenes are done very seriously. And they are so extreme that they are even more humorous than the comedy scenes. It’s all just incredibly fun!
Yet it doesn’t seem to have found an audience. And that’s sad. All psychotronic fans should find it and watch it fast! (Actually, you’ve already found it. It’s embedded below!)
Its full name is Gnaw: Food of the Gods II. It is about giant rats. So the “gnaw” really sells it!
Supposedly, it is a sequel to Bert I Gordon’s Food of the Gods. (I rank it in the top half of his films.) Like that film, this one also has other giant creatures. Well, one: a young boy. He’s actually the crux of the plot.
The film has been widely criticized for its bad special effects. I thought they were fine. The editing uses them effectively. But most of all, they are very much in keeping with the original film.
If you don’t like this one, I have some romantic comedies I can recommend. (Really! I have nothing against romantic comedies. I’m just not sure why you’re reading Psychotronic Review!)
Other 19 May Anniversaries
Filmmakers:
- Bruce Bennett (1906-2007): Actor known for a couple of Tarzan films and The Alligator People.
- Renée Asherson (1915-2014): More a theater actor, she had small parts in The Others and one of my favorites, Theatre of Blood.
- Peter Mayhew (1944-2019): Actor who played Chewbacca in all the Star Wars films through 2015.
- André the Giant (1946-1993): Actor known for The Princess Bride.
- Grace Jones (1948-): Actor known for Conan the Destroyer and Vamp.
Films:
- Witchfinder General (1968): Vincent Price is a vile witch-hunter who uses his power against the people.
- Night of the Cobra Woman (1972): A woman bitten by a cobra can now turn into one. But she must consume young men!
- Fright Night Part 2 (1989): More vampires.
- Road House (1989): Kung Fu guy becomes a bouncer. I don’t remember anything more. It’s that kind of film.
- Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995): One sequel past watchable. By-the-numbers action. Over-long and under-creative.
- Shrek 2 (2004): Ogre meets in-laws.
- Frankenstein’s Bloody Nightmare (2006): The usual story but in the service of reanimating his dead girlfriend.
- See No Evil (2006): Teens sent to clean an abandoned hotel are tormented by a psychopath.
- Beast (2007): Low-budget horror that seems to be about a couple of guys who have to feed a monster. Looks like it’s worth a watch!
Food of the Gods II (1989) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
