Zarkorr The Invader

Zarkorr The Invader is a captivating, campy yet thrilling 1996 sci-fi movie directed by Aaron Osborne and Michael Deak. The leads are played by the talented trio of Franklin A. Vallette, Don Yanan and Peter Looney, and alongside their performances, the real draw of this film is the titular monster Zarkorr, who is an all-too-real threat to humanity.

The plot tells the tale of a giant alien monster, named Zarkorr, standing at an intimidating 185 feet tall and possessing devastating powers, that has seemingly appeared out of nowhere to wreak havoc on Earth. The formidable Zarkorr begins its reign of terror with little explanation and seemingly no willingness for communication, annihilating entire cities and showing no signs of slowing down.

Against this monstrous backdrop, Zarkorr The Invader introduces us to the unlikely hero of the movie, Tommy Ward, represented convincingly by Franklin A. Vallette. Tommy is a humble, slightly nerdy, postman living an unremarkable life, with no army background or relevant experience. Suddenly, he is sent a telepathic message by a miniature hologram of a woman named Proctor, who tells him that he has been chosen, seemingly at random, to save the world from Zarkorr.

The seemingly average guy's perceptiveness and inherent compassion are maybe the qualities making him the chosen one. As one gets deeper into the movie, Tommy’s character acquires significant depth, showing a person of conviction, willpower and fortitude, willing to do whatever it takes to save his planet from devastation.

While Tommy struggles to understand his new destiny, a public affairs officer, Arthur, portrayed vibrantly by Don Yanan, and a seasoned investigative reporter, Dierdre, brought breezily to life by Peter Looney, are working tirelessly behind the scenes to provide public with information, while also attempting to understand the indecipherable objective of the towering alien threat.

Throughout the movie, the creators of Zarkorr The Invader successfully mix elements of the sci-fi, horror and action genres. They create an engaging narrative combined with nail-biting sequences of Zarkorr destroying entire cities and clashing with the military. This solidifies the horror and danger that lingers in our world once an alien force invades.

The visual effects add immensely to the storytelling. Although made with the limited special effects technology available in the 90s, Zarkorr itself is quite impressive given its scale and impact. From its lurid, blazing eyes to its dinosaur-like structure, it's both terrifying and visually arresting.

The characters, especially Tommy, show development and progression throughout the movie, from their initial reactions to dealing with an unprecedented and unexpected disaster. The movie offers much more than a giant-monster-on-a-rampage story, as it also explores how an ordinary man reacts when placed in extraordinary circumstances.

Finally, this film is not just an alien invasion movie, but also a story with underlying themes of humanity and courage. How far can an ordinary man go to save his world from annihilation? How do people react when they face an unimaginable crisis? These are some of the questions that Zarkorr The Invader poses to its audience.

Aimed at people who appreciate a good monster flick, Zarkorr The Invader is a fun combination of thrills, action, and humor. For those who appreciate low-budget sci-fi movies with a high-concept plot, this film is a rewarding watch. The seamless blend of the unexpected hero's journey with sci-fi elements makes Zarkorr The Invader a memorable entry in the genre. The enthralling performances of the cast, especially Franklin A. Vallette, the engaging story of an ordinary man turned savior, and the thrilling special effects create an entertaining and exciting experience for the audience.