Verdict
Summary
From directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, The Kindred is a pretty insane creature feature with some very impressive practical special effects.
Plot:
A molecular scientist dies, and leaves behind abominable experiments for her son to find and dismantle … but it won’t be easy.
Review:
When his molecular scientist mother dies, her son John (David Allen Brooks) assembles a team of colleagues and friends to visit the home where he grew up where his mother was conducting experiments and a series called her “Anthony Journals,” which his mother specifically requested that John dismantle and destroy. When John and his colleagues (including a beautiful oceanographer, played by Amanda Payes) arrive, they have no idea what they’re all in for, and when one of them is attacked and almost killed by a tentacle creature, it’s only the beginning. It turns out that “Anthony” is a massive beast, spawned from John’s DNA, and it has given birth to countless mini-beasts that are overtaking and overrunning the house and farm where John and his friends are hunkered down. Also in the mix is a mad scientist (played by Rod Steiger who gets to have tons of sloppy goo doused on him) who wants to claim “Anthony” for himself, but first he’ll have to deal with the insane situation he and the rest have found themselves in when they unlock the underground lair where “Anthony” is living.
From directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, The Kindred is a pretty insane creature feature with some very impressive practical special effects, and when it gets to the climax, it’s quite a spectacle to behold the thing that “Anthony” is. There are some real standout moments in the film, including an impressive woman-to-fish transformation scene, and while the movie resembles a typical “B”-movie from the drive-in era with all its mad scientist tropes, it stands apart from the herd.
Synapse recently released a special edition Blu-ray of The Kindred, which comes with the unrated version of the film, plus a ton of bonus features. Long in the works, this release is very welcome and worthy of being added to your collection. There’s also a steelbook edition that comes with the soundtrack CD from David Newman.
Bonus Materials
- All-new 4K high-definition remaster of the unrated version of the film
- New 5.1 English stereo surround remix (Original 2.0 mono theatrical mix also included)
- Audio commentary with directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, moderated by horror journalist Steve Barton
- Inhuman Experiments – The Making of “The Kindred,” an all-new documentary (52 mins.)
- A special compilation of creature effects artist Michael McCracken, Jr.’s never-before-seen on-set footage (18 mins.)
- Still gallery and original storyboards
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original video promotional trailer
- TV spots
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
