There’s something in nearly every monster movie that affects me tremendously. It’s a Darwinian sort-of tragedy when the heroes, in order to preserve society, rise up and defeat the monster and I always feel sorry for the damn thing, no matter how many people its killed. In Q, there’s a nice reverse of the King Kong myth as the winged beast flies around the Chrysler Building with men inside shooting at it. But as Q got pummeled by bullets and it screamed in agony, it happened again. I felt sorry for this monstrosity. The thing is, sometimes movies do address this, but it’s always so stupidly weepy (Nobody cries when Jaws dies and all that.). I’d just like someone in a monster movie to say, “Oh man, this is too bad that we’ve gotta hurt this thing, but, seriously, it ate my dog and I can’t have that.” And then his partner can say, “Yeah, you know, these constant monster attacks are just seriously annoying.” And then the main guy could say, “Yeah.” Then they kiss! FADE OUT.
Q is good fun, a monster movie in the classic mold anchored by a bizarre, unhinged performance by Michael Moriarty. His character is an unusual and welcome addition to the other standard monster-movie tropes employed. He’s a wheel man for some crooks but also has some skill at the piano (though his random, chaotic noodling fails to impress a barkeep enough to get him a regular gig). The character’s angry, paranoid, and strangely impulsive, traits convincingly attributed to time spent in prison. When he discovers the titular winged serpent’s nesting ground (the monster is apparently Quetzalcoatl, an ancient Aztec god), he holds the city for ransom, demanding money and immunity from the law before he’ll tell the authorities.
Moriarty’s performance is something to see: the character borders on seeming psychotic at times as he rants and raves about how much he’s suffered at the hands of everyone around him. It gets annoying at times, but it’s usually good, intense fun. It’s also a nice choice for the script to center itself on an angry dissolute who’s more interested in getting what he thinks the city owes him than saving lives.
Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
Wow, I loved the special effects in Q. Added that throwback flavor to it, and I believe Dave Allen designed/animated the beast. What Q needed was some pacing. It barely qualifies as a creature flick at some points. Some great gore though.
Oh, and remind me never to watch King Kong with you. You must still be recovering. =;)