Savaged. Reviewed by Brian Kirst
www.hocfocprod.com/savaged
Floridian writer/director Jason Liquori provides some ultra low budget wonder with his dog gone strange epic, Savaged.
Before viewing even begins, though, Liquori should be commended for adding another solid ‘hound as harbinger of horror’ flick to the scare universe. While canines are often utilized for momentary thrills in many features, Cujo, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs, The Pack, They Only Kill Their Masters, Devil Dog: Hound of Hell, 2002’s Lucky, Zoltan and The Breed are probably the only horror flicks centering around some demonic Lassie (or Lassies) that most creep fans can name off the bat. While that list may seem significant, just compare it to the number of shark fright flicks, let’s say, and it’s easy to realize how lacking the puppy terror field is.
Liqouri is ably assisted in this venture by attention commanding horror icon Debbie Rochon. Rochon plays long suffering, house sitting Maria Longesi, whose troubles don’t seem to disappear at her new, albeit temporary, locale. As arranged by her concerned mother, Maria finds herself in charge of the bounding and adorable Lotus while the dog’s owners are on vacation. Soon, Lotus begins to exhibit strange behavior as Maria finds herself having to deal with an escaped bear, suspicious neighborhood cops and a skulking abusive ex-boyfriend. When Lotus suddenly disappears, Maria finds herself in emotional duress but Lotus’ eventual return may leave Maria with problems of a more scarring nature.
While there are some obvious budgetary and length issues with Savaged, for the most part, Liquori keeps things hopping along and he offers enough twists and turns to keep audiences fully interested. His wise employment of the fascinating Rochon works very much in the film’s favor as well. She is interesting to watch even while doing simple activities like making a sandwich or ‘girl talking’ with the seemingly affectionate Lotus.
As Lotus, Liquori’s dog, Valkrie, is simply adorable. Liquori truly has to employ all of his film making skills to make her appear dangerous at times, but Valkrie is affable enough that it is simply a joy to send time with her whether fully menacing or not.
