The Film (3/5)

In the post-apocalyptic future, mankind has started to live underground until a group of bikers try to start fresh. They soon discover an abandoned building with all of the riches of the past. Like Sugar and flower. Their victory is soon crushed when they run into a horde of flesh hungry rats.

RATS is another healthy dose of movie cheese from Italian exploitation director Bruno Mattei (STRIKE COMMANDO, HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD). Mattei is infamous for his high energy and bizarre mashups of popular movie genres. Working in all kinds of films from Mondo, Zombies, nunploitation, and even Nazi women in prison epics. The characters, over acting, lack luster gore, and DIY effects are some of the lowest in Italian horror, but Mattei’s films are over flowing with joy and fun.

RATS NIGHT OF TERROR (1984) is one such bonkers film. It’s a fusion of the post-apocalyptic genre, made popular with MAD MAX and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, and the nature run amok genre like FOOD OF THE GODS. Filmed in left over sets from Sergio Leone’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, Mattei crafts a nonstop cheese fest of fun, with some effective mood lighting. The camerawork is fast and loose. The effects of rubber rats and less then stable explosions are pushed over the limit.

But one of the coolest bits is the synth pop soundtrack by Luigi Ceccarelli. Where is my CD of this?!

Audio/Video (4.5/5)

88 Films’ Blu-ray comes with two audio tracks. First up is the 2.0 Italian track, which is crisp and full. There is no hiss or pops. The 2.0 English track is the way to go if you're looking for a fun movie night. The sound is softer but still doesn’t get muffled. English subtitles are included.

The 1080p HD transfer is the best element of the disc. For a movie with this many budget limitations, RATS looks good on shiny disc. The colors are not muted, and the black levels are sharp. There is some minor film grain but no print damage.

Extras (3/5)

The disc comes with two on camera interviews. The first is with composer Luigi Ceccarelli and he talks about RATS, his start in composing music, and some of his other career highlights. The second interview is with stuntmen and lead actors Ottaviano Dell’Acqua and Massimo Vanni. The two men discuss their relationship with director Mattei and the numerous films they worked on together including the action trash masterpiece STRIKE COMMANDO! The disc itself comes with an interview with Geretta Geretta by Calum Waddell.

Overall (4/5)

Fans of movie cheese need to investigate the crazy world of Bruno Mattei. RATS is one of the perfect films to start. Highly Recommended.