The Breed (2006)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Nicholas Mastandrea

Writers:

Robert Conte (writer)
Peter Martin Wortmann (writer)

Release Date:

1 June 2006 (Italy)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Play dead.

Plot:

A group of five college kids are forced to match wits with unwelcoming residents when they fly to a "deserted" island for a party weekend.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Dog | Brothers | Killer Dog | Self Deprecation

Cast

Michelle Rodriguez	...	Nicki
Oliver Hudson	...	John
Taryn Manning	...	Sara
Eric Lively	...	Matt
Hill Harper	...	Noah
Nick Boraine	...	Luke
Lisa-Marie Schneider	...	Jenny

Also Known As:

A falka (Hungary) [hu]
Aullidos (Spain) [es]
Cães Assassinos (Brazil) (DVD title) [pt]
Laberinto de terror (Argentina) (DVD title) [es]
Mania (Greece) [el]
The breed - La razza del male (Italy) [it]

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and some language.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

Germany | South Africa | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Philippines:R-13 | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Italy:VM14 | Finland:K-15 | Norway:15 | Australia:M | Portugal:M/16 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company:

Film Afrika Worldwide

Trivia:

The actors had 3-4 days of dog training with the dogs used in the movie.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Noah's giving his "let's get out of here" speech, he clearly jumps well before the dog comes crashing through the window to attack him, obviously expecting this to happen. This can be seen clearly at regular speed, and is even more profound in slow motion.

Quotes:

Nicki: [in the lab, before blowing up several dogs] Give Cujo my best.

Movie Connections:

References "Lassie" (1954)

Killer Fido's on the loose

let me start by saying I am a big fan of the nature/animal gone berserk type films and I was very excited when news of a new Wes Craven produced killer dog flick was being made and would star tough cookie Michelle Rodriquez and cool and sexy Hill Harper from CSI: New York. What eventually was made by first time director Nick Mastandrea is sadly a disappointing entry into the genre. Where in the world was Wes?? This is not to say it didn't show some small moments of promise but it never quite rises to the occasion. The story revolves around a group of five childhood friends vacationing on an Island who come across a band of sinister German shepherds who have laid claim to the Isle after surviving what is explained as a "rabies" outbreak on a compound that sits on the other side of the Island which once housed a dog training facility. Most of the back story of the dogs isn't really explained and we're left with just a few specs of dialog from cast members Eric Lively and Oliver Hudson, who play siblings that grew up on the island, to to shed a dim light. The gang enjoy some sun and water until they are visited by a pup whose visit is more like an infiltration of the enemy camp and shares one of the better moments scenes with Hill Harper. Soon the dog-pack descends on our unsuspecting group who must now find a way off the Island before becoming dog-food. The best attack scene takes place in the house where our heroes have boarded themselves up but this isn't enough to save the film. The director was obviously asleep at the wheel and it shows when one of the characters ( I wont say which as not to spoil it) suffers an injury to the leg and later seems to forget they should be limping and they can be seen walking around like nothing ever happened. Where in the world was Wes??? Yes the setup is as old as wine but I still had hopes that the makers would inject some fresh blood into the story; it never happened. The film is hurt by uninspired camera work and the even more uninspired direction of Mastandrea. I hope somewhere, some place, someone will still make an old style killer dog flick with a decent plot, great camera work, and characters you can care about. Is that too much too ask? Oh yeah..this is Hollywood...oh well