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Title: Kaw (2007) Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Kristin Booth, Stephen McHattie, Rod Taylor, and John Ralston Director: Sheldon Wilson Rating: R (Restricted) Runtime: 92 minutes Avg. Score: 3 Submit Comment Hits: 27

Review of Kaw

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Comments for Kaw

• Posted on 2008-06-06
  It's titled KAW. What do you expect?
  
  There is no disguising the fact that this movie is an attempt to remake Hitchcock's famous movie "The Birds". There isn't even an attempt to hide the obvious campiness. It's titled "Kaw" for goodness sakes! The point and execution of this movie is plainly clear, and that's part of what makes it so enjoyable.
  
  The major players in this movie are a cop named Wayne Merkle (Sean Patrick Flanery), town doctor Doc (Rod Taylor), and former soldier Clyde (McHattie). It's up to them to protect a town from an endless number of ravens who have suddenly become pack-hunting killing machines. It's funny because the ravens take on personalities. They seem to taunt the people in town, laugh at them, hunt in groups like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park, and particularly enjoy jabbing beaks into human flesh.
  
  The ravens seem to have become demon birds because of feeding on diseased cow flesh. Evidently the Mennonites aren't very sanitary or up-to-date with their farming techniques, and they have opened a Pandoras box of animal disease - as a result of the Mad Cow disease, they've managed to create a Raven specific version of Avian Influenza combined with the Rage virus from 28 Days Later (or something like that). Not only that, but they seem to have a social architecture, hunting techniques, and military tactics; the ravens not only learn to use weapons, but they also practice kamikaze dive-bomb techniques for the collective good of the group.
  
  The acting, plot, and CGI are mediocre, and the ravens constantly steal every scene. Sometimes they're hilarious, and in other scenes they're downright scary. I know it sounds crazy to say, but the birds have acting range in this movie, and their presence literally carries the entire movie - major kudos go out for the seamless combination of Ravens and special effects.
  
  This isn't going to be a classic, and nobody from this movie will ever win an award, but it's a fun movie nonetheless. If you're like me, you'll end up cheering for the ravens.
  Score: 3
• Posted on 2008-04-30
  Taylor made for Birds
  
  'KAW' in an O.K. thriller with obvious comparisons to Hitchcock's classic 'The Birds', especially since it has that films star, the great Rod Taylor in a guest role, what a coup it must have been for the producers to get him! This DVD is worth it for the Taylor interview alone, and why his breakthrough TV series 'Hong Kong' has never been released, I'll never know?
  There are lots of young talent doing a good job in 'Kaw', and although it will never be classed as a 'classic', it certainly wont disappoint fans of the genre. Worth a look!
  Score: 3
• Posted on 2008-01-17
  Unexpected Gem
  
  Yes, it's another animals-on-the-attack movie, this one molded from Hitchcock's "The Birds" (and even featuring Rod Taylor)...but a tightly wound, well directed, and surprisingly suspenseful addition to the genre. Here ominous black ravens are in attack mode, for reasons the movie sketchily provides, and it's up to a seasoned cop (Flanery) to save the day. Yes, it's a B-Movie, but it's still exceptionally well done. For starters, it's never boring, moving along at a quick pace. And while dreaded CGI is incorporated into the effects, they also managed to use real ravens with the CGI, to minimalize use of CGI. Truthfully, the effects work is pretty seamless, and just right for this type of film. The performances are more than adequate, and while there's never really a truly frightening moment, this is still ions more entertaining than most straight-to-DVD horror drivel. And refreshingly, the accent is less on needless gore and more on suspense, something seriously lacking from today's horror fare. KAW may not be the Hamlet of horror movies, but should be noteworthy for what it is: an edgy, moody, no-frills humdinger of a horror flick.
  Score: 4
• Posted on 2007-12-14
  Lots of Angry Birds and Not Much Else
  
  Kaw is Director Sheldon Wilson's attempt at remaking Alfred Hitchcock's Birds. However, unlike the original, Kaw lacks a clear vision, a compelling plot, or strong characterization. The story begins when a small town chief of police is getting ready to retire. On his last day a huge flock of angry Ravens attack all the towns' people. This is where the resemblance to Hitchcock ends.
  
  The acting isn't that bad, and I've seen much worse, so no big complaints there. But the characters are wooden, one dimensional, and rather uninteresting. There is a bit of intrigue with some of the Mennonite characters, but this isn't followed up on and it falls apart a few minutes after it's begun. You don't get to like any of the characters so when they're picked apart, it's hard to care. So characterization is one of my biggest complaints. Another is the plot.
  
  The plot is weaker than wet, generic brand, tissue paper. There is a story given as to why the ravens attack, but it is medically impossible. I cannot say too much more because I don't want to give spoilers, but Mennonite farming practices are so old fashioned that their cows couldn't have the disease they do in the movie, it is medically impossible. There is no explanation as to why the Ravens are attacking all the people, or how they got to be so smart.
  
  Look, I don't mind a movie having some weak points if it's entertaining, but it starts off horribly slow and when it does kick off, the special effects are weak at best.
  
  I love low budget, direct to DVD horror, but this is NOT a good example of the genre and your money would be better spent elsewhere.
  
  Not recommended. Instead, buy or rent The Birds and treat yourself to a true classic.
  
  Score: 2
• Posted on 2007-10-25
  IT'S YOUR KAW
  
  This retake on the claasic Hitchcock's THE BIRDS even features the 1963 movie's hero, Rod Taylor, although this time around the durable actor plays the town's loveable doctor. In the '63 film, all kinds of birds were the predators; this time around, it's just the ravens, who have been infected by feeding on the carcasses of diseased cattle.
  The special effects are pretty decent and while there's not a whole lot of new ground broken, the film succeeds in entertaining those of us into the attacking animals venue. Sean Patrick Flanery takes a leave from his villainous role on THE DEAD ZONE and plays the stalwart sheriff.
  KAW won't receive raven reviews, but it's a pleasant enough diversion.
  Score: 3