31 Days of Horror: The Relic (1997) DAY EIGHTEEN

Probably earlier this year, maybe last year, a good friend had told me to check out The Relic. He said it was quite interesting and thought I may enjoy it. Weeks after, having still not seen it, he said I really needed to see it as he really liked it. This went on for a good few months as you can imagine. Today was the day I finally sat down and watched it!

The film opens with an anthropologist taking part in a ceremony with a tribe somewhere in the Brazilian rainforest. It appears they have drugged him with a poisonous soup. Later we see a cargo ship, the ship has docked somewhere in Chicago. On board the cargo ship many bodies are discovered and a crate that has come from Brazil. Upon further inspection by scientists alike, the crates contents; a strange relic, are displayed in a local museum ready for an opening gala to show off in it's new "Superstition" exhibition. However, also in the crate are what seem to be leaves used as packing material. The leaves however contain a fungus which is packed with hormones that turn anything super-size. It also gives the ability to evolve living things at an astonishing rate. Then the gruesome decapitations start happening...something has broken into the museum, and with the gala opening just days away; things don't look good!

This film was a thrill ride from beginning to end, I absolutely loved it and would happily watch it again anytime soon. The film is a roller-coaster and keeps you guessing to the very end. The cast and supporting cast are all great and the creature effects (created by the late great Stan Winston) are VERY impressive for a 1990's film. On the Internet Movie Data-base the film is scored 5.5/10...outrageous, I'd give it at least 8 plus. GREAT STUFF.

5/5, one of my favourite films I've watched this 31 Days of Horror!