RELEASED TO TV IN 2009 and directed by Bill Corcoran, "Rise of the Gargoyles" chronicles events in Paris when a brutal gargoyle is released from an inner chamber underneath an ancient church. A discredited Professor who specializes in mythic creatures (Eric Balfour) has a close call with the gargoyle and teams up with others to destroy it and its numerous eggs.
While this has similarities to 2004's "Gargoyle" and 1972's "Gargoyles," it's easily the least of the trio due to: (1.) dubious camera work that seems a notch below the typical Syfy movie; maybe they had crappy equipment, I don't know, (2.) a lousy third act and (3.) a CGI monster that looks more cartoony than the one in the 2004 flick. Furthermore, there are dull parts here & there; and they coulda done better on the female front.
Nevertheless, the European city and catacomb locations (or sets) are great and the ending of the first act features a shocking sequence that is extremely well-done where a woman is chased to the roof of her apartment building and
(I'm not going to give it away). Tanya Clarke really gave it her all in this scene as she truly looks terrified.
THE FILM RUNS 94 minutes and was shot in Bucharest, Romania, & Paris, France (the latter I presume was just used for establishing shots). WRITER: Andy Briggs. ADDITIONAL CAST: Ifan Huw Dafydd plays the skeptical inspector while Caroline Néron & Justin Salinger play tabloid reporter/hacks. Nick Mancuso appears as the over-the-top priest.
GRADE: C/C- (4.5/10)
