Woodyanders Review of Mexican Werewolf in Texas

Mexican Werewolf in Texas (2005)

Enjoyable low-budget horror monster outing

[8/10 · 13 March 2012]

The sleepy small town of Furlough, Texas is terrorized by a savage creature of local Mexican legend known as the chupacabra (Collin Pulsipher in a gnarly suit). A group of teenagers decide to track the beast down and kill it after it kills one of their friends. Writer/director Scott Maginnis relates the entertaining story at a snappy pace, builds a good deal of tension, offers a flavorsome evocation of the dusty desert town, creates and sustains a pleasingly creepy atmosphere, delivers a handy helping of graphic gore, and stages the ferocious attack set pieces with rip-roaring flair. The competent acting from the capable no-name cast rates as another definite asset: Erika Fay contributes a winningly vibrant turn as the spunky Anna, cute blonde Sara Erikson nearly steals the show with her hilarious portrayal of the ditsy Jill (the scene with Jill flashing the monster is simply sidesplitting!), plus there are solid turns by Gabriel Gutierrez as Anna's nice boyfriend Miguel, Michael Carreo as antagonistic jerk Tommy, Martine Hughes as the sweet Rosie, Mark Halvorson as Anna's freaky mortician father Brad, Leslie Marshall as Anna's bitchy busybody mother Carol, and Louie Cruz Beltran as sensible veterinarian Manny Gonzalez. Matthew J. Siegal's sharp cinematography gives the picture an impressive slick look. Matthew McGhaughey's ominous ratting score hits the shuddery spot. A fun fright flick.