Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Island Claws’

Written by Scott Edwards

​The quest to have everyone go to bed with a full stomach has been going on for years and will continue as the population continues to grow. Even with plenty of surplus being grown every year in different countries, the food never seems to find its way to those who need it. While different excuses are given for this, mainly that it is too expensive to do, there are other options that can be explored for those who need help. The ocean seems to be large, vast and full of treasures hidden beneath the waves, but it is also a good resource of food and also a place that nourishment can be grown above and under the waves.
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Wanting to get a story for the paper about trying to feed the world’s hungry, Jan Raines has found her way into the local ocean institute. Getting a quick one on one with Doctor McNeal, she is shocked to see his work on crabs and what it can mean for the future. While the doctor has other things to tend to and will give her a full interview later on, Jan is happy to be shown around the facility by junior marine biologist Pete Adams who has taken a liking to her. Learning more about the life of crabs and how they grow, Jan is getting the basis for her story, but there is something huge festering in the ocean that is looking to make its mark on the small island community.

Listening to the news about a failure at the local nuclear power plant, Jan’s father is seen talking to the cameras saying that all of the safety precautions that were in place worked they way they should have. But a following report admits that some radioactive waste was able to escape the plant and Jan is starting to worry about the area’s safety. With the promise that nothing bad will happen, the young reporter goes on about her day and is able to get more information from the good doctor about his work. Getting asked out by Pete after her workday has come to an end, Jan has no idea what lies on the horizon for her as the local wildlife, especially crabs, are starting to act very strangely.

Riding her bike back home, Jan sees a massive migration of crabs making their way towards her and she is forced to run for her life. Calling Pete in a panic after what she has just seen, Pete tries his best to believe the young woman’s story since this is something that crabs never do. But when returning to the scene, the couple finds that there is something more sinister happening on the island as a massive crab shell is located. Showing their find to Doctor McNeal, the professionals are happy that their growth hormone is really working in the wild, but with the addition of some radioactive waste being added, they may have formed a crab the likes of which the world has never seen.

You can tell me that there will be a giant crab in a movie and yes, I will watch it with no questions asked. While this movie is dated, it still deals with the same science that we are using today to try and make the world a better place. But, as we have seen in monster movies over the years, this is never a good idea and when something out of our control takes place, well, disaster is not far behind. With very little real science, swarms of crabs, a murder mystery, swarms of crabs, a mysterious attack by the water, a swarm of crabs, some folks from off the island, a swarm of crabs and an extra giant crab, this movie is just some good old fun. Even though the ocean has given me many reasons not to go back into the water (SHARKS), now I have to be on the lookout for crabs as well. Stay Scared.

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