ONE of the major hits at the recent Edinburgh Film Festival was the comedy- horror Grabbers, set on an island off the coast of Ireland. When invaded by bloodsucking aliens, the locals discover that getting drunk is the only way to survive. And as for Grabber himself, he is a rolling mass of tentacles and stingers with a very, very big mouth. Here is a prime example of how CGI can be used effectively, The film was shot during the harshest winter in Ireland in over 100 years, mainly in the Belfast area. Uncharacteristic blizzards, gale force storms and sub-zero temperatures regularly hampered production, creating a difficult shoot.
However, it all worked out splendidly for director Jon Wright, from a script by Kevin Lehane.
Sheffield-born Richard Coyle plays Irish rogue cop Ciarán O’Shea, who likes a tipple a little too much.
When a rather conscientious Garda Lisa Nolan (Ruth Bradley) is despatched to join him, he picks up the sulks.
Life goes on until a discovery is made by one of the locals. A large squid-like species is found at sea. Not even Dr. Adam Smith (Russell Tovey) can identify the creature, although the old man who found it has christened it a Grabber after it attacked him and wrapped itself around his head.
The conclusion is reached that the Grabber is in fact an alien, and Mama and Papa ET are on their way to find it.
Arriving at the scientist’s lab, it is discovered that these creatures need only two things to survive: blood and water. However, they also accidentally learn that a high blood alcohol level will in turn kill these nasty creatures.
In an attempt to fend off the creatures, it is decided that the entire village have a gathering at one of the two local pubs, get smashed and prepare for battle.
