INSEMINOID

A group of archaeological researchers is exploring a planet in search of ancient civilizations, but a mysterious explosion injures two scientists, leaving one catatonic and the other very aggressive. Meanwhile, Sandy, one of the team members, is raped by a horrible alien monster, in a state of semi-unconscious dreaming. From the next day, Sandy begins to change characteristically, becoming more aggressive, and also shows symptoms of pregnancy. In a few days, the woman appears as a parturient and begins to kill the team members. Dated 1981, "Inseminoid" is a fantasy-horror that tries to capitalize on the success received two years earlier by "Alien"; but between this poor b-movie and Ridley Scott's cult classic, there is an abysmal difference. First of all, "Inseminoid" relies on a sparse plot and undecided on which aspect of the story to delve into: initially we are in pure "Alien" territory with echoes of Bava's "Terrore nello spazio", thanks to the scientists' surveys in the caves of the unknown planet that much resemble the two films mentioned; then it ends up mimicking "Rosemary's Baby", highlighting the "dangerous" pregnancy of the gestating woman. In conclusion, it then adopts the slasher movie scheme, with the murders carried out by Sandy against the various members of the scientific expedition. Therefore, "Inseminoid" appears as a soulless film, dictated more by the desire for easy imitation, rather than by intentions that can engage the public in a broader mechanism of involvement - tension, an indispensable combination for the success of a good fantasy-horror. Amidst this constant sense of uselessness, some positive aspects can be found in the suggestive polychromatic photography, which partly reflects the already mentioned "Terrore nello spazio" and slightly anticipates the almost contemporary "Il piante del terrore" by Bruce Clark, as well as "Pitch Black". Furthermore, the direction by N. J. Warren, already the author of the decent "Delirium House", also seems quite solid, although supported by actors not always up to the task. A barely impactful and avoidable film. It nevertheless deserves half a vote more.