Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the movie.

That said, on to the review!

Animals die in many different ways: appliance accidents, fights with other animals, killed by humans, hit by cars, etc. So when a handful of animals die unusual deaths near Gallup, Texas, no one really pays attention. Then, however, two people die, and it's plain from the wounds on their bodies that something strange is going on. The Center for Disease Control is called in because someone suggests the wounds were caused by bats. As a result, the CDC looks for expertise in the field of bats. They find that expertise in Dr. Sheila Casper, a "wild life zoologist specializing in Chiroptera," as she puts it. In other words, a bat doctor.

Down in Gallup, Sheriff Emmett Kimsey is concerned. It's his town that's being affected, and he wants answers and a solution. Unfortunately, all that comes up is confusing and problematic. First, Dr. Alexander McCabe reveals that his reason for participation in the investigation is because he was responsible for the possible disease: he designed the virus that's infecting the bats that escaped from his laboratory, the same bats that probably led the attack on the animals and humans. What's worse, those two bats aren't native to the region; they're imports from Indonesia, and probably the largest bats in the world, and they've been experimented on.

Kimsey tells the mayor to order everyone indoors at night, while he goes with Dr. Casper to catch themselves a bat. What they hadn't counted on was the sheer volume of bats that have taken up residence in the region. Only quick and desperate action--jumping into the sheriff's truck and rolling up the windows--saves them from being eaten alive. And while the fiasco does allow them to capture one of the bats, it soon becomes clear that there's something else going on: the bat, after being fitted with a radio transmitter, is killed--sliced from head to toe right down the middle--by two of its own before it gets very far.

Back in town, Kimsey is shocked to learn that no one--absolutely no one--has heeded the warnings: the Gallup nightlife is progressing as usual. Before the sheriff can chase everyone off the streets, it's too late. The bats attack, darting after everyone and everything and flying in for the kill. In the chaos that ensues, it quickly becomes apparent that the bats are deliberately targeting certain people: Dr. Casper, Sheriff Kimsey, the CDC man, etc. What exactly did the doctor do to the bats? And what can they do to stop them?

I've never seen The Birds, but I suppose it was something like Bats, only with birds. Or, rather, Bats is like The Birds, only with bats instead of birds. That may be confusing, but I don't know how else to put it. Is Bats like The Birds or is it the other way around? The Birds came first, but I saw Bats first. Help!

This movie was positively gruesome. No, there were not body parts lying all over the place or rivers of blood flowing into the sewers. There was a cave full of chest-high guano (bat dung), but that's not the point. What made this movie really gruesome was the viciousness that the bats exhibited throughout the movie, and the callousness that the doctor who was experimenting on them exhibited throughout. I mean, doing something just because you can isn't a good reason for doing something, right? Remember Dr. Malcolm's point in Jurassic Park?

Lou Diamond Phillips isn't my favorite actor of all time, but he does a good job of playing the sheriff in this movie. He might have been a bit more believable in La Bamba as Richie Valens because he doesn't appear old enough to be the sheriff. Maybe if he weren't so clean-shaven he'd have seemed more appropriate to the role. On the other hand, the western/southern accent he's worked into his voice helps out a lot. He even sustains it during high adrenaline moments! How's that for professionalism?

Remember how I did that review on Vespers? Well, this movie reminded me a lot about that book. Only, it wasn't based on that book...don't make that mistake. There was (or is) supposed to be a movie based on the book, but I haven't seen it yet. In the meantime, at least there's Bats to enjoy. And enjoy it I will!

Interested in buying this video? You can! Just follow the link to order the VHS version or the DVD version. You can also visit the Stellar Video Store for other titles.

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