Eight Legged Freaks (2002)

Venomous spiders get exposed to a noxious chemical that causes them to grow to monumental proportions.

Director:

Ellory Elkayem

Writers:

Ellory Elkayem (story), Randy Kornfield (story)

Stars:

David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Terra

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Arquette	...	Chris McCormick
Kari Wuhrer	...	Sheriff Samantha Parker
Scott Terra	...	Mike Parker
Scarlett Johansson	...	Ashley Parker
Doug E. Doug	...	Harlan Griffith
Rick Overton	...	Deputy Pete Willis
Leon Rippy	...	Wade
Matt Czuchry	...	Bret
Jay Arlen Jones	...	Leon
Eileen Ryan	...	Gladys
Riley Smith	...	Randy
Matt Holwick	...	Larry
Jane Edith Wilson	...	Emma
Jack Moore	...	Amos
Roy Gaintner	...	Floyd

Storyline

After a long absence, Chris McCormick returns to his quiet hometown of Prosperity, Arizona, to reopen his late father's mines. However, a chemical spill and lethal toxic waste have created an unstoppable army of giant spiders who prey on the unsuspecting locals, turning Prosperity into an endless buffet. Now, it's up to Chris; Sheriff Sam Parker; her son Mike; Sam's plucky daughter, Ashley; the conspiracy theorist, Harlan, and a handful of survivors to stop the hairy menace, and save the town. But, who can stand in the way of the disgusting eight-legged freaks?

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Plot Keywords:

giant spider | town in panic | arizona desert | arizona | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

The biggest... nastiest... mutant spider movie of all time!!!!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, brief sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the car ride to the mall, Harlan is convinced the spiders are aliens. Chris responds "They are spiders are from Mars." David Bowie came out with 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars' in 1972 and the spiders from Mars are referenced in the song 'Ziggy Stardust.'

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Goofs

When the line goes dead while Deputy Pete is on the phone with the Sheriff, he has the receiver in his left hand, but when he goes to tap on the phone base, there are clearly two hands holding on to the base. When the shot goes back to his face, he is still holding the receiver with his left hand.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Harlan: Do you know fear?

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Connections

References The Sixth Sense (1999)

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Soundtracks

Itsy Bitsy Spider
Written and Performed by Joey Deluxe
Produced by Joey Deluxe
(appears in the opening and closing credits)
Courtesy of Joe Merholz Music ASCAP

User Reviews

Good stuff!

Unlike many modern-day movies that revolve around CGI and special effects, this one succeeds purely on the quality of the production and acting. There are some excellent effects indeed, but also some really dodgy ones. No matter when you have the likes of Arquette, Johansson, Wuhrer, Arlen Jones, and many more fine character actors on show. It must be very difficult to act with CGI, yet there are rarely, if ever, occasions when you see this cast looking even slightly lost.

It may be a parody, it may be silly, but it's apparent that a lot of care went into making this, and the cast look like they're having fun - which always creates a good impression. There is nothing remarkable here, or particularly scary, but it does what it's supposed to do - entertain the audience. One of those movies that seems to go by quickly, and during which you won't find your mind drifting off to another place. Not sure what to rent for the evening? This is definitely worth a look - unless spiders make you nervous!

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros [France] Warner Bros [UK]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arac Attack

Filming Locations:

Tonopah, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,485,458, 21 July 2002

Gross USA:

$17,322,606

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,867,333

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1