Search - Tremors 4 - The Legend Begins on DVD

Keith A. (Keefer522)
Reviewed on 10/31/2013...

The fourth chapter in the cult giant man-eating worm saga is actually a "prequel" set in the 1870s. Michael Gross returns as Hiram Gummer, the great-grandfather of his character "Burt" from the other three films. In a neat role reversal, rather than a gun-loving survivalist like Burt, Hiram is a sheltered, prissy tenderfoot from the City who comes out West to investigate strange goings-on at a silver mine that he owns. When he discovers the now-famous "graboids" (which the old Westerners call "Dirt Dragons"), it's up to Hiram to man up and help the townspeople take back their valley from the monsters.

"Tremors 4" is nothin' fancy, just more low-budget, action packed monster mashing fun.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Marcia W. (mogie) from ROSEBURG, OR
Reviewed on 7/4/2008...

This movie explains or setsup the previous movies. How it all got started. A must have for any Tremors collector.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Jennifer F. (KnJFisher) from GILLETT, PA
Reviewed on 5/24/2008...

The Tremors series seemed to run out of ideas on the second installment, so the idea that we are sitting around discussing a fourth is quite absurd, to say the least. Nonetheless, the fourth in the series may well be the best aside from the original, which is one of the most surprising things I've ever seen myself type. Perhaps the big secret here is that the series has never taken itself too seriously, which is certainly a plus in comparison to other series, where the sequels never seem to realise how bereft of ideas they are.

Tremors 4 takes a completely different tack to its three predecessors and sets itself a couple of hundred years in the past. Before the town of Perfection became Perfection, it was known as Rejection (ha ha). Burt Gummer's great-granddaddy, Hiram, was a wimp who held guns in much the same manner that many of us hold dead fish. Contrary to the impressions of the other films, Rejection was a silver town with a mine owned by the aforementioned Hiram. It seems that when the miners stop work due to fear of being eaten, it eats into profits, and Hiram comes out to see what is scaring away the workers.

As with the last three films, the cast is strictly low-rent, with Michael Gross and Billy Drago forming the most recognisable portion of the cast. Indeed, Gross seems to be so comfortable in the role of the Gummers that he barely seems able to portray anything else. Or rather, he doesn't seem to just portray the character. For all intents and purposes, he is the character. Which is certainly a great change from his days in Family Ties as the head of one of those saccharine families that only seem to exist on daytime or early afternoon television. It is just as well they placed the burden of the acting upon the shoulders of a veteran like Gross, as the rest of the cast seems lost.

Tremors 4 also seems to return to the style of the original when it comes to revealing the worms. Instead of having them constantly attacking the populace through CGI simulation, much of their interaction with the human cast returns to the practical effects and trick photography of the original. The one shot in the film I noticed that was obviously CGI only helps to demonstrate that simple off-screen levers or cables still have a lot of usefulness left in them. The one problem I have with the films to date is that none of the DVD-Videos have been offered with a featurette that explains how these practical effect shots were achieved.

Tremors 4 also marks the first time we get to see anything of the oft-referenced Carson City. The city doesn't appear at all special, but that's fine. Just inserting a view of the place is enough. Among Tremors 4's weaknesses, on the other hand, are attempts to build up suspense with danger to Hiram Gummer. As if the existence of Burt didn't already make the resolution of such scenes clear. Another problem is the constant debates about the next step in the residents' plans against the worms. The recitations of homilies start to get rather stilted after a while. There is also a bit too much repetition of the noisemaking technique. To the credit of the writers, they do manage to insert a few of the guerrilla-style battle moves that made the first and third episodes so amusing. Thankfully, the idea that Hiram Gummer could fight these creatures and Burt not have any idea what they were is sort of half-explained towards the end.

In all, I gave Tremors 4 an eight out of ten. It isn't nearly as good as the original, but it is a massive improvement upon the other two. Here's to hoping that they manage to keep as many good ideas in a fifth or sixth, although I personally would pay good money to see a film set a hundred years from now with Perfection as a thriving city that is hit by the worms. Yes, that was a hint.

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Back to the Basics -- No More CGI Worms!

Joshua Koppel | Chicago, IL United States | 01/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This set contains two movies, Tremors and Tremors 4 - The Legend Begins. I assume anyone buying this is familiar with the first movie where the small town of Perfection is beset by huge underground monsters dubbed Graboids.In the first three films we were introduced to the three stages of Graboid physiology. In the fourth installment, we get to see what they look like soon after hatching. We also return to live-action worms and not the CGI that many complained about in the third movie.The small town of Rejection is starting to boom as the local silver mine is very productive. But the mining disturbs something in the ground and the miners begin to disappear. Most of the town flees except a small handful. The mine's owner arrives, Mr. Gummer (again played by Michael Gross). This Gummer is different than his descendant in that he does not even own a gun.Well, Gummer and the remaining residents set out to check the mine over and then get rid of the "dirt dragons" via a skilled gunslinger. In the end everyone must pull together to end the menace.Some wonderful foreshadowing of the earlier movies. We see the development of the general store, Gummer's character, and other small bits. Quite fun and a welcome addition to the series although it takes a little getting used to not hearing the creatures referred to as Graboids."

A worth prequel

Reader B | Plymouth Meeting, PA USA | 08/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Tremors series is either something one loves or hates; I doubt there is much middle ground. I feel Tremors (the first) is the best, and this prequel is a worthy addition. Staring Michael Gross as Bert's either grandfather or great grandfather was terrific. And so is the women playing what would become the Gross-Reba role in the first movie. As Hiram evolved from the east coast Dandy to a more take charge person, it was done with affection and keeping in character. There are not blow your mind special effects, just competent and fun special effects. This is a movie more about the characters and the unknowns (worms) and their interactions. Black Hand Kelly is a great role in this movie and there is just enough homages to the first movie to make a good link. Perhaps less tongue in cheek and fewer laughable quips, but the pace is brisk and entertaining. I really loved the ending scene. This is a must addition to fans of this franchise, and holds the promise of more movies in this series. Set in the silver mine town of Rejection, Nevada, which becomes Perfection, Nevada in movie #1. If you like sci-fi without the multi million dollar effects, you will like this movie."

Almost as good as the original

J. D. Webster | anywhere, VA | 01/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tremors 4 diffently makes up for the countless faults of Tremors 3. There is very few cheesy CGI effects, it is mostly back to good old fashion puppetry...which for a lot of it, looked real on their part. Most of the people are great characters, and Micheal Gross does a super job doing a "anti Bert" kinda of image, well since he is suppose to be the great grandfather.The new baby graboid forms are to die for. The scenes of them launching out of the ground to try and hit their target into submission is great. Kinda laughed when one of the men got hit form both sides by 2 little ones.Over all the movie was nearly almost as good as the original. Each character has their own special quality that makes them induring. Especially Black Hand Kelly. Most certainly going to be a Tremors fan fav when all is said and done."