In "Primitive War", the on-screen mayhem is undeniable, with Green Berets battling dinosaurs in a Vietnam-set nightmare that defies logic. Directed at viewers who crave military action, gore, and prehistoric creatures, this adaptation of Ethan Pettus's 2017 novel is unapologetically formulaic but strangely captivating.
The film, shot in Australia, boasts an Australian cast with some American actors, ostensibly set in Vietnam during the late 1960s. However, the real enemy isn't just the Viet Cong; it's a sinister scientific experiment that brings forth an army of dinosaurs, wreaking havoc on anyone who dares to enter their jungle domain.
As Colonel Jericho assembles an elite team, known as the Vulture Squad, led by Sgt Ryan Baker, the stage is set for a battle royale. While the grunts in Baker's unit vary in intelligence quotient, their ineptitude serves only to heighten the absurdity of their predicament. The plot is predictably repetitive, but it's this very predictability that makes "Primitive War" strangely watchable.
The film's reliance on firepower ensures that dialogue and background music are frequently drowned out by gunfire, a clever narrative device in an otherwise formulaic story. Music plays a pivotal role here as well, with some unmistakable needle drops from Creedence Clearwater Revival – a clear attempt to evoke the spirit of 1960s America.
However, it's the visual effects that fall short, with dinosaurs appearing rather plasticky, especially during full-daylight sequences. The production seems more invested in gore and visceral moments than convincing creature design. Nevertheless, the film's cheerful cheesiness remains undiminished, making "Primitive War" a delightfully absurd viewing experience for those who revel in this brand of on-screen mayhem.
The film, shot in Australia, boasts an Australian cast with some American actors, ostensibly set in Vietnam during the late 1960s. However, the real enemy isn't just the Viet Cong; it's a sinister scientific experiment that brings forth an army of dinosaurs, wreaking havoc on anyone who dares to enter their jungle domain.
As Colonel Jericho assembles an elite team, known as the Vulture Squad, led by Sgt Ryan Baker, the stage is set for a battle royale. While the grunts in Baker's unit vary in intelligence quotient, their ineptitude serves only to heighten the absurdity of their predicament. The plot is predictably repetitive, but it's this very predictability that makes "Primitive War" strangely watchable.
The film's reliance on firepower ensures that dialogue and background music are frequently drowned out by gunfire, a clever narrative device in an otherwise formulaic story. Music plays a pivotal role here as well, with some unmistakable needle drops from Creedence Clearwater Revival – a clear attempt to evoke the spirit of 1960s America.
However, it's the visual effects that fall short, with dinosaurs appearing rather plasticky, especially during full-daylight sequences. The production seems more invested in gore and visceral moments than convincing creature design. Nevertheless, the film's cheerful cheesiness remains undiminished, making "Primitive War" a delightfully absurd viewing experience for those who revel in this brand of on-screen mayhem.