Ten Of The Best (And Worst) High Concept Movies

We take a nostalgic look at some of the brilliant, ridiculous and unashamedly awful films that have graced our screens over the years. This compilation consists of ‘high concept’ films, most of which tend to favour an outlandish premise over substance, artistic integrity, innovation and a cohesive narrative. However, occasionally, after a long and tiresome day, you don’t necessarily seek out those aspects of filmmaking, because you just want to have a bit of mindless fun!

Jaws (1975)

What would happen if the spirit of a T-1000 (despite not having been invented yet) entered and took control of a shark?

Steven Spielberg’s horror/thriller, which is based on Peter Benchley’s novel of the same name, is arguably the seed from which subsequent ‘high concept’ films have sprouted. The title character is a tyrannical great white shark that terrorises the fictional Amity Island and its inhabitants, killing all that stands, swims or paddles in its way.

Despite being made thirty six years ago, JAWS is still one of the most iconic films of all time. Its monumental and instantly recognisable film score, along with the obligatory underwater POV shot of the beast is just one example of a memory which is locked away safely in the hearts and minds of many movie buffs. Robert Shaw’s portrayal of the shark-obsessed and wonderfully unpredictable Quint is equally memorable. His battles with the charmingly unconvincing shark (sharks don’t have hinges, right?), are no less than epic. It is one of those rare gems that can give you a warm feeling in your tummy, but can also ensure you do not sleep for several weeks; especially if you’re on a boat.

The Evil Dead Trilogy (1981, 1987, 1992)

What would happen if the reawakened souls of the dead could possess us, as well as trees, rocks, bits of lint, etc?

Sam Raimi’s cult classic THE EVIL DEAD could be dismissed as a shoddy version of Romero’s zombie trilogy, by those who have not seen it. Those that have seen it will know that it is nothing of the sort, but rather a stand-alone trilogy that deserves any accolades it has hurled its way. It is about a group of teenagers that, shockingly enough, go on a trip to a cabin in the woods. They unwittingly release the souls of the dead via a tape recording, and are subsequently hunted down by the spectral ghouls.

On a minuscule budget, Raimi and his leading man (the superb Bruce Campbell) worked together to create a humorous, eerie and genuinely shocking franchise which ensured that both men would become legends in their own right. Raimi constantly pushed the envelope, utilising strange concepts with a visual resonance, including a tree with a penchant for attacking young women, a decapitated corpse that dances elegantly to classical music, and a severed arm that reeks havoc everywhere it scuttles. THE EVIL DEAD has an extremely hardcore following and its reputation is still growing, even thirty years down the line.

Ghostbusters (1984)

What would happen if ghosts were real and we could bust ‘em?

This endearing science fiction comedy, created by Ivan Reitman, has spawned numerous sequels and games due to its vast popularity, as well as one of the most parodied theme songs of all time. The story follows three idiosyncratic parapsychologists as they form a business, dealing primarily with unwanted phantasmal invaders.

The special effects were again, a product of the time, and resound in the viewer’s mind because they have lovable flaws, unlike some of the overly polished and indistinct computer generated imagery that can be found in a plethora of modern films. You don’t get enough giant stay puft marshmallow men destroying cities these days.

Liar Liar (1997)

What would happen if you couldn’t experience the joy of lying to children any more?

Jim Carrey does what he does best in this cautionary tale about the folly of lying. He plays Fletcher Reede, who is so caught up in trying to make partner at the law firm he works for,  that he fails to see he is neglecting his son, Max, as a result. After missing Max’s birthday, the boy makes a wish, asking the birthday Gods to prevent his father from lying for just twenty four hours. Little did he know that his wish would come true, and with catastrophic results!

What follows is a series of events that situates Carrey in his comedic element. Highlights include an animated rant at his boss, a brutal fight scene in which he attacks himself ferociously, and his spectacular halting of an aeroplane using only a flight of stairs and a shoe. A wacky, wonderful and life affirming adventure for all ages (as long as you are over twelve).

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

What would happen if Samuel L. Jackson and Kenan from KENAN AND KEL had to duel with some volatile serpents. . . on a plane?

FBI agents Neville Flynn (Jackson) and John Sanders are escorting an important murder witness, Sean Jones, back to Los Angeles. However, the criminal who Sean is due to testify against, Eddie Kim, has arranged for a crate of venomous snakes to be put on the plane by his man on the inside. Inevitably, the snakes break free and begin to unleash their brand of reptilian fury on the passengers.

The film is full of gaping plot holes and stereotypical characters, such as the stick-thin blonde socialite, and the rapper who thinks he is a higher being. It is so unbelievably illogical at times that you almost have to appreciate what little effort went into the actual story. The fact that Kenan Thompson’s character, Troy, is allowed to fly a plane because he is pretty decent at a flight simulation computer game, shows how frivolously the narrative was constructed. Conversely, there are some stunning one-liners and on-screen deaths. Furthermore, it’s not as though David R. Ellis claimed to be making the next SCHINDLER’S LIST, so snakes biting people will do just fine.

Teeth (2007)

What would happen if your lady parts could be used as a weapon, in a literal sense?

Dawn O’Keefe is a young naive christian girl who is waiting for the right boy to come along, before giving up her innocence. Unfortunately, as she soon learns, those guys are few and far between. When she tries to bring a stop to her first sexual encounter, the boy attempts to rape her, only for the teeth in her vagina to inadvertently save her, by severing his manhood.

As the story progresses, she begins to use her newly found powers to punish the men who do not understand the meaning of the word ‘no’. It can be an empowering sentiment and purports a strong message, but it is also an extremely uncomfortable visual experience for anybody who cherishes their genitals.

Flight of the Living Dead (2007)

What would happen if George A. Romero lowered his standards. . . significantly?

A group of dissident scientists smuggle another scientist, who is infected with a virulent genetically engineered virus, onto a flight from Los Angeles to Paris. The virus turns its victims into cannibalistic demons (or zombies, as is the politically correct term). The passengers and crew on board are, of course, killed off one by one.

The clichés are doled out thick and fast in this farcical story. There is a famous African American golfer on board who has women fighting over him . . . I think we all know who that is meant to be a parody of. Also, the denouement could have been copied and pasted from roughly ten thousand other horror films, but it adheres to a lot of the zombie movie criteria, and has a sufficient amount of gore to keep many fans of the genre contented.

Pig Hunt (2008)

What would happen if you fancied a ham sandwich, but the ham had other ideas?

Five young friends go on a camping and hunting holiday in the woods of the deep south. Their intention is to hunt wild hogs, but they are lower on the food chain than they previously anticipated. A gigantic hog – appropriately named, ‘the ripper’ – begins to reign down upon them with all the hatred he can muster.

This is another film which relies heavily on pre-established tropes of the horror genre. Perhaps the most trite instance occurs when they stop at a gas station for directions, and a stereotypically wise southerner warns them about, and tells the story of, the legend of ‘the ripper’. The climax of the movie steals a clever idea from the movie PREDATOR, and also feebly attempts to emulate Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM within its subtext. For all its faults though, it does boast a three thousand pound – not a more feasible three hundred pounds –  murderous hog, which is an astonishing sight to behold.

Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus (2009)

What would happen if a worryingly obese shark fought a festively plump octopus?

An oceanographer is studying the migration patterns of whales off the coast of Alaska, when some experimental sonar transmitters sends the whales into a frenzy. They repeatedly smash into some nearby glaciers which contain the eponymous and gargantuan antagonists. They don’t take kindly to being awoken from their slumber and begin to cause destruction wherever they venture.

The Asylum – a film studio which specialises in producing these low budget schlock films – have also made MEGA SHARK VERSUS CROCOSAURUS, MEGA PIRANHA and MEGA PYTHON VERSUS GATOROID. Although critics understandably shunned them, the trailers were a viral success and the films themselves have developed a cult following, because of their overtly ridiculous nature. One of the more absurd elements on this occasion is the shark’s predilection for inanimate metal structures; it attacks a bridge and a plane in mid-flight. Once again spectacle completely triumphs over logic, but with undoubtedly unique and amusing results.

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

What would happen if. . . er, well, you found a hot tub that was also a time machine?

Four friends who are trapped by the mundanity of their lives take a trip to the ski resort where they experienced unforgettable events as adolescents. However, they spill a powerful and illegal beverage on the hot tub’s control panel and, as is customary in these situations, they are transported back to 1986.

Despite having one of the most obscure and unattractive titles in cinematic history, the film has got its saving graces. The tongue-in-cheek and often gross-out humour employed is hit and miss, but the hits slightly outweigh the misses. The diversity of the cast helps to create an entertaining onscreen chemistry, and appearances from several 1980’s film stars, including Chevy Chase as a mysterious hot tub repair man, make this an enjoyable experience overall.