The Firelight Shocks DVD Review Section

The Progeny Distributor: Planet Distribution Region: 2 Ratio: 4.3 Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

A doctor and his wife are trying for a baby, however the doctor has a low sperm count. Much to the doctor’s shock, his wife actually ends up pregnant - but something is not quite right. Aliens, it appears, have paid a visit to suburban America and decided to impregnate some unlucky housewife with a nasty extraterrestrial brood. A quick call to an expert on the supernatural, played by Brad Dourif (yep, the voice of Chucky himself), and it is concluded that the scum from another planet must be aborted... but all is not as it seems. Director Brian Yuzna crafts an intriguing tale here. It starts of quite slowly, with acting and scenes that would not go amiss in a daytime TV soap opera. Perhaps this was the point, however: to show us a picture of American life not that far removed from Days of Our Lives... and then to promptly send this ‘ideal’ to hell. With a big, loud gory thud - which is precisely what Yuzna does. In fact, this is one of the director’s nastiest tales to date with spilt innards galore and more penetration with medical instruments than you could shake a spaceship at. It all results in a disturbing and bloody story that finally degenerates into an orgy of paranoia and intestines. Not bad for a direct to video slice of shlock, but Yuzna has shown time and time again that a low budget horror film does not need to skimp on the terror. His previous efforts in the low budget home video market have included such minor gems as Return of the Living Dead Part 3 and The Dentist. Now you can add The Progeny to that list. Despite dragging a little, and the aforementioned bouts of crummy dialogue exchanges, this finally delivers the goods. So kudos to Mr Yuzna, special FX guru Screaming Mad George, and the typically excellent Brad Dourif. Furthermore, the lead actress, Jullian McWhirter, appears nude enough times to satisfy the more lonely horror film fan... how sweet. I managed to get hold of this disc for only £5.99, though I’ve also seen it in the shops for an extortionate £18.99. At the former price, it’s a bargain and a half.

The Disc: You wouldn’t expect much would you? Well this is actually pretty good on the extras front with a half an hour programme of interviews from the film, including the two leads (Jullian McWhirter and former Darkman Arnold Vosloo) and Brian Yuzna himself. Brian says he believes in alien abductions, which is nice. You also get a trailer for the film, which is always welcome. Progeny is delivered to us in the standard 4.3 ratio - resulting in some cropping at the sides, but it is never bothersome. The picture quality is far better than you’d have any right to expect and the sound does its job just fine. Overall - quite a nice wee disc.