King Cobra came out in the year 1999. I remember it distinctly because I was a huge fan of horror and sci-fi films during that time. I was always on the lookout for new releases, and when I heard about King Cobra, I was excited to see what it had in store.
The film was directed by Scott Hillenbrand and David Hillenbrand, and it was produced by Trimark Pictures. Now, Trimark Pictures was known for producing low-budget films, but they often had a certain charm to them that I found intriguing. I had seen some of their previous works and was curious to see how King Cobra would compare.
The cast of King Cobra was quite interesting. Pat Morita, who was best known for his role as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid series, played a prominent role in the film. It was always exciting for me to see actors from my favorite movies branching out and trying different genres. Scott Hillenbrand, one of the directors, also had a role in the film, which I thought was a unique touch.
The plot of King Cobra revolved around, you guessed it, a king cobra. Now, I’ve always had a fascination with snakes, so the premise of the film immediately caught my attention. The story followed a group of scientists who were conducting experiments on snakes, specifically the king cobra. Things take a turn for the worse when one of the snakes escapes and wreaks havoc on a small town.
One aspect of the film that stood out to me was the special effects by The Chiodo Brothers. They were known for their work in the horror genre, and their expertise really shone through in King Cobra. The snake effects were surprisingly well done, considering the film’s low budget. They managed to create a sense of fear and tension whenever the snake appeared on screen.
In addition to the snake effects, the film also had a solid cast of supporting actors. Hoyt Axton, Joseph Ruskin, and Courtney Gains all gave memorable performances that added depth to the story. Their interactions with the snake and their attempts to stop its rampage added an extra layer of suspense to the film.
King Cobra was a fun and entertaining horror/sci-fi film that I thoroughly enjoyed. It may not have been a blockbuster hit or received critical acclaim, but it satisfied my craving for a thrilling creature feature. And even though it was a direct-to-video release, it still managed to leave a lasting impression on me. So, if you’re a fan of low-budget horror films or have a fascination with snakes, I would definitely recommend giving King Cobra a watch.