Abominable (2006 film)


Abominable is a 2006 American monster film, directed and written by Ryan Schifrin. Starring Matt McCoy, Jeffrey Combs, Lance Henriksen, Rex Linn, Dee Wallace, Phil Morris, Paul Gleason and Haley Joel.The film follows paraplegic widower Preston Rogers as he moves back into the remote cabin where he and his now-deceased wife once lived. Preston quickly realizes that a sadistic Sasquatch is stalking the woods around the cabin, but nobody believes him.
The film premiered on April 10, 2006, in New York City.

Plot

A couple is terrorized in the middle of the night by a giant figure that kills their dog, and leaves large footprints in their yard.
The next day, wheelchair bound Preston Rogers goes to a secluded cottage in the woods with his nurse Otis. A group of women named Karen, Michelle, C.J., Tracy, and Amanda arrive to stay in the cabin next door. Otis leaves to go back into town, and while he is gone night falls. Preston observes as Karen steps outside, but does not notice as something abducts her. He sees her cellphone lying on the ground and correctly surmises something has happened to her. He then notices a telephone pole has been knocked over, preventing him from being able to call anyone. Using his binoculars, he looks into the woods and sees large eyes staring directly at him. Preston goes back inside and turns off all the lights, terrified. Otis returns and Preston tries to tell him what he saw, but Otis does not believe him.
Elsewhere in the woods a trio of hunters; Dane, Buddy, and Billy, are out looking for the same monster that came to Billy's home, which they believe to be a Sasquatch. Unbeknownst to the trio, the Sasquatch is stalking them. Dane hears a noise and goes to investigate. He finds a cave and discovers a mortally wounded Karen. The beast returns and kills her, while Dane runs back to the group. They attempt to attack the creature but all three are killed.
Preston tries to contact the police to inform them of the creature via email. He sees that the remaining women are looking for Karen. Preston asks Otis to go over and tell them what he saw, but Otis refuses. Preston then watches as Tracy is abducted and killed by the creature. Preston becomes hysteric and Otis attempts to sedate Preston, but Preston turns the tables and tranquilizes Otis. Preston then looks out the window: the creature appears, roaring at him. Preston faints in terror.
Sometime later Preston wakes up to a still-sedated Otis and the creature gone from the window. He receives a dismissive email response from the police, and then screams out the window to warn the remaining women next door. Shortly after the beast invades their cabin. Michelle and C.J. are both killed by the monster, but Amanda is able to make it to Prestons house.
Preston comforts Amanda, and tells her that he only recently became wheelchair bound. Several months earlier Preston and his wife were rock climbing when their cables snapped- his wife fell to her death while Preston survived. Amanda and Preston formulate a plan to trap the creature and escape. The power goes out and the Sasquatch breaks into the cabin, forcing them to escape down the balcony with rope. Preston makes it to the ground but Amanda is taken by the creature. She is then saved by Otis, who strikes the creature in the back with an axe, causing it to drop Amanda. The attack does not kill it, and the enraged beast kills Otis. Amanda and Preston make it to the car, but the creature causes them to crash. Amanda is ejected from the vehicle and knocked out. Preston then drives into the creature, ramming it into a tree, causing the axe from Otis' attack to impale it.
Preston crawls over to Amanda as the creature dies, and the two head off down the road. Sometime later the police arrive and find Preston and Amanda. Preston and Amanda are then taken to safety in an ambulance, while the police head back to the cabins.
Back at the cabins, the police discover the car backed into the tree, but the creature is gone. They then hear noises and turn around to see a group of multiple Sasquatches growling at them, ending the film.

Cast

Home media

The film was released on DVD by Anchor Bay on October 3, 2006. It was later released as a repackaged edition by Lionsgate on May 6, 2008. On February 13, 2018, it was announced that the film would be released for the first time on Blu-ray collector's edition by MVD Rewind. The release contained improved CGI effects overseen by director Schifrin, and editor Conlee.

Reception

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 67% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 5.48/10. Metacritic gave the movie a weighted average score of 31 out of 100 based on 6 critics, which corresponds to "generally unfavorable reviews".
Jeremy Wheeler from Allmovie gave the film a positive review, writing, "what really makes Abominable such a fun ride is its willingness to let loose with the bloody Bigfoot carnage." Wheeler also commended the film's soundtrack, and direction. JoBlo.com positively reviewed the film. While conceding that the pace was a little slow the reviewer claimed "it a killer Bigfoot movie, which is something that I haven’t seen often enough, but it was also a well written and executed one." Mark L. Miller of Ain't It Cool News gave it a positive review, having especially enjoyed the design of the creature. Maitland MacDonagh from TV Guide called the film "an old-fashioned monster movie that relies more on genuine suspense than bare breasts and blood". MacDonagh also commended the film's soundtrack, atmosphere, and "man in a monster suit" approach. Jon Condit of Dread Central gave the film a score of three and a half out of five, praising the film's creature effects, and mounting tension, while criticizing the film's occasionally stupid characters.