While the original movie is still arguably the best one, Tremors 4 The Legend Begins is a worthy addition to the series. I fully expected the Tremors movies to get worse over time (can't say I've liked them all) making the quality of this chapter a pleasant surprise. Not everyone feels that way, but in general Tremors fans tend to agree with me.

 

One aspect that can be a blessing or a curse depending on what you want out of a Tremors movie is that it’s tame. One complaint I heard several times while researching this movie to decide if I wanted to check it out it was that there aren’t enough people killed (I assume they meant graphically because there are plenty that the worms get off screen). That’s true; this is probably the least action-oriented movie in the series. Does that bother me? No, because I greatly enjoy the focus on the characters and the story. Besides, I’m not of the mind that body count makes the movie.

 

The story returns to the original worm-like incarnation of the “Graboids” (as opposed to the walking or flying versions) although we do get to see a new, younger side to them as well. Director S.S. Wilson likens this to a vampire movie where the viewer knows the lore about the monster (how they operate basically) and is watching new characters discover that for themselves. That’s more or less the plot.

 

The townsfolk of Rejection (later to be renamed Perfection) discovers the existence of the Graboids (why the monsters are just now deciding to make their appearance in the world is fully explained) and, not wanting to give up their land and livelihoods, fight the creatures. The Graboids (called Dirt Dragons in the early days) start by terrorizing miners. The owner of the mine comes into town to find out why his mine is not producing. It’s Burt’s great grandfather Hiram, and the Gummer family history is established. He tries various methods of extermination including hiring a gunfighter, but only the combined determination of the townspeople stands a chance of victory against these creatures.

 

Because Burt has become so integral to the Tremors stories it’s natural that much of the focus of this movie is about his family history. His character changes dramatically as he forms new relationships and learns that people, not money, are important in life. That is a lot of what drives the whole movie.

 

I wouldn’t consider it dramatic necessarily, it’s still action/adventure at heart (basically a Western with giant man-eating worms) even if it’s not the edge-of-your-seat peril that saturated the other movies in the series. Some fans will see the character development as slowing down the movie too much. One of the reason I say the first movie is better is because it had a better balance of these character elements and excitement. Part 4 could use some more of #1’s thrilling peril, but I like the writing and implementation enough to give it my stamp of approval.

 

A couple of key points I especially like from a story standpoint are explanations of a few questions I had from movie 1. For instance, the giant Graboids in 1 didn’t just materialize and couldn’t have been born full-size. So how could they grow up so big without interacting with the townsfolk or at least being noticed? If they followed the same pattern as the creatures in part 4 their initial concealment can be explained.

 

Another positive aspect is the accuracy of the props and dress. As far as being a Western period piece, it excels despite its low budget. I’m not saying it would astound the serious historian with its accuracy, but it gives a better lesson in guns from that time than anything similar I’ve seen.

 

There are a few key points I don’t like, as well. The main one is the creatures' growth spurt. I thought they got too big too fast to be a believable life cycle. Another is that this is supposed to be the beginning of the legend, yet there is no indication of the Graboids’ origins. We find out more about their life cycle, and we can assume that this is their first interaction with humanity (at least as it applies to any sort of modern civilization). But everyone keeps saying “you see where they come from” when you really don’t.

 

One scene that keeps popping up in discussions is the use of the large woodcutter’s saw as a weapon. I’m mentioning it because I thought it was clever while a lot of people say it was the dumbest thing in the whole movie. I don’t want to say too much about what exactly happens for the benefit of those that haven’t seen the movie, but the saw moment is no less realistic than anything else here. I would have to say that anyone believing it couldn’t possibly have the effect that it does hasn’t been around handsaws very much.

 

OK, OK, I’ve told you enough about what’s in the movie so now let’s talk technology. Special effects range from decent to crappy. Thankfully they realized their limits and didn’t focus much on the worst of the effects. A few moments stand out - you may have to use some imagination at times – yet some of it sells perfectly well.

 

The acting is mostly very good. There are a few lapses, but it’s overall way better than the average low budget movie. Michael Gross is at his best. It took me a minute to adjust to his personality having been so used to seeing him as Burt, but once I knew what he was really like I thought he was a great character. I like Billy Drago’s character Black Hand Kelly more than I expected to. Kelly has more humanity to him than most of those types of gunslingers and ends up being a major influence on Hiram. I thought he would come in, shoot around some, then croak. Instead he shows multiple sides to himself including compassion, humor, and heroics.

 

I thought the video looked grainy at times, and the sound seemed to drop too low on occasion (more on that in the buying guide). Even so, overall I wouldn’t have thought this to be a low-budget movie if I hadn’t already known it. Whatever the budget, it’s an enjoyable experience.