‘The beast is loose. The chase is on.’
Watchers III – also Watchers 3 – is the 1994 science fiction horror film directed by Jeremy Stanford (Stepmonster) from a screenplay by Michael Palmer (Carnosaur 2), loosely based on the novel Watchers by Dean R. Koontz. Executive produced by Roger Corman, the exteriors were shot on location in Peru.
The movie stars Wings Hauser (The Carpenter; Bedroom Eyes II; Tales from the Hood), Gregory Scott Cummins, Daryl Keith Roach, John Linton, Lolita Ronalds, Ider Cifuentes Martin and Frank Novak.
In 1988, a further entry in this minor franchise followed, Watchers: Reborn.
Plot:
A top-secret experiment spawns two highly intelligent life forms: Einstein, a golden retriever with an IQ of 175; and the Outsider, a deformed monstrosity that exists to kill and avenge its creators. When the Outsider escapes into the jungles of South America, the government sends in Ferguson (Wings Hauser) and some ex-military convicts to catch the beast.
However, what begins as a high-speed chase ends in carnage. Only Einstein knows the Outsider’s motives, and only the canine can outsmart the creature…
Review:
A low-rent Predator rip-off that also manages to ride on the tail of the ridiculous Watchers franchise — so we have more inane scenes of the supposed ultra-intelligent golden retriever dog barking warnings about ‘The Outsider’ or how to diffuse a bomb.
Yet, strangely, the isolation of the authentic jungle settings, the timely gore moments and Wings Hauser’s amusing overly ‘sincere’ leadership role, make this a more agreeable time-waster than its predecessors. Plus, the hilariously daft monster harks back to Corman’s earliest 50s cheapo efforts. Watchers 3 is entertaining nonsense that’s perfect for those nocturnal hours when you know you should be sleeping but just can’t doze off…
Adrian J Smith, MOVIES and MANIA
Other reviews:
“Wings tries his best in this, and it’s plenty entertaining. He continues to reaffirm his status as a DTVC Hall of Famer through his efforts in crap like this. Between his scenes with the dog, to his dialog in funny-that’s-supposed-to-be-cool military speak (you know, “Checkmate this is Goose Down, do you read me?”), he delivers. I totally give him an A for effort.” Direct to Video Connoisseur
“Enhanced by rugged jungle locations, and well directed by Jeremy Stanford, this is better-than-usual work for Corman. Michael Palmer’s script … is totally derivative of other actioners, but makes for a a good adventure that is marred only by a beast-creature that sometimes looks more ludicrous than hideous.” John Stanley, Creature Features
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