Piranha (1978)

An insurance investigator (Heather Menzies, THE SOUND OF MUSIC) and a hard drinking hermit (Bradford Dillman), while looking for two missing hikers, stumble across a former military installation. To their horror, they discover that a covert government operation has bred a sturdy strain of piranha that are near indestructible and on their way down the river devouring swimmers, fishermen and tourists! This cheesy, silly piece of nonsense has inexplicably become a cult favorite. I just found it tacky and poorly constructed. To be fair, the screen writer John Sayles has infused the script with generous doses of humor ("Piranha? What about the piranha?", "They're eating the guests, sir") which tends to be more sophomoric than witty. There's not one moment of legitimate horror or tension. It plays more like a JAWS rip off than anything else. Still, as I said, there are those who have a great affection for it. The dull score by Pino Donaggio (CARRIE) doesn't help at all though he wrote a lovely piece for Dillman's underwater swim. Directed by Joe Dante. With Keenan Wynn, Kevin McCarthy, Barbara Steele (overdoing the dragon lady bit), Bruce Gordon, Dick Miller, Brenda Balaski and Paul Bartel.