The Toronto After Dark Film Festival started with a bang this year as it opened the festival with the highly talked about (amongst horror fans) horror indie, Mulberry Street. The film’s premise is extremely out there, for it’s about a group of eclectic individuals in a grimy New York apartment building who are fending for their lives as they are being attacked (and turning into) giant were-rats who are infesting the streets of New York City.

I have to admit something. I have something called suriphobia. For those who don’t know what is, it is the fear of mice. So you can imagine how I felt about watching a movie about GIANT RAT people. So did I freak out and nearly hyperventilate from my irrational fear, or did I ultimately enjoy myself with this highly inventive horror film? The answer is both.

THE GOOD

For a film about giant rat people zombies, this film sure had a lot of heart. Unlike most horror movies which would have focused primarily on the monsters and skimp out on the plot and be filled with disposable characters, Mulberry Street took its time (maybe too much time for some) developing characters, establishing relationships, and made the audience relate to the people in the movie LONG before the horror begins.

Another great thing about this film was its unpredictability when it came to which characters were going to triumph and become kick-ass exterminators, or become rat food. In fact, there were a few parts in the movie where main characters were picked off, letting the audience know that no one will be able to predict the longevity of the heroes/heroines, which the experience a much scarier one.

The acting was surprisingly impressive for a horror indie. Nick Damici (who plays the lead, Clutch) gave a strong performance as the courageous boxer/turned were-rat killer. All the other actors also were on the ball, (even the obviously stereo-typed roles) and it was a refreshing change to see.

THE BAD

Although the make up of the rat creatures were well done, the audience is rarely given any chance to witness them for longer than a split second, due to the constant shaking of the camera during the action sequences. While I understand the camera probably was moving fast to match the speed of the rat-like zombies, it still would have been nice to see more of them up close.

Another thing that also annoyed me was some of the clichéd and stupid mistakes some of the characters would make. Since we spend about a good half of the film getting to know these characters very well, I found it hard to believe that some of them would make stupid moves. (i.e. barricading yourself in the apartment, and then opening the door to see if the creatures are still out there.) Things like that sometimes took me out of the movie and made me roll my eyes.

OVERALL

Mulberry Street may take longer to start than it takes a insecure and drunken male virgin to find a woman’s G-spot, but when it finally “finds that spot” it is a very satisfying (and more importantly, relieving) experience from then on in, and ends with an unexpected climax. (hehehe) I recommend you all see this horror indie (well directed by Jim Mickle) and I hope you guys enjoy as much as I did.

I give this film a rating of 8 out of 10

*Catch Mulberry Street when it hits DVD this November 9, 2007.