The Bone Eater

***Comic booky, but all-around entertaining and, sometimes, even moving***

"Bone Eater" (2007) is yet another Grade B monster movie that debuted on SyFy. All these creature features have the same basic plot: Strange monster appears, people start dying, and the locals have to figure out how to destroy it or, at least, escape it. The only things that change are the creature, the setting, and the characters.

"Gargoyles" from 1972 is one of the best examples of these types of low-budget creature features and the genre is still going strong over 45 years later. What is it about these kinds of stories that attract people? It's because imagination and legend are about good vs. evil and the power of selfless courage against impossible odds. In short, there's nothing more heroic than man against monster. (I say "man" in the generic sense, of course, which includes male AND female).

"Bone Eater" mixes elements of flicks like "Gargoyles," "Ghost Rider" (2007) "Prophecy" (1979) and, believe it or not, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966). It's pretty entertaining throughout and sometimes surprisingly moving. Despite its micro-budget comic book trappings, the filmmakers effectively strike a reverential chord with some of the relationships, the AmerIndians, and the spiritual parts of the music. Speaking of the latter, the score by Chuck Cirino is notable with the Western-ized portions giving homage to Ennio Morricone's classic "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

The main characters are distinguished and impressive while the protagonists are likable. There’s the stalwart sheriff, his loyal people and beautiful daughter, her bad boy beau, the crew-supervisor father, his son, the wise chief, his winsome granddaughter and the angry brave, Black Hawk (Adoni Maropis). You also have the evil entrepreneur and his lackeys.

As far as women go, Clara Bryant is stunning as the Sheriff's blossoming daughter while Jennifer Lee Wiggins shines as Storm Cloud's charming granddaughter, Kaya.

The writers throw in some potent insights and moral conflicts here and there. For instance, the crew-supervisor's son says it's wrong for them to hide archaeological artifacts; his father counters that it's easy to be idealistic when you're young but, when you're older, your paycheck and security come first.

FINAL WORD: Yes, "Bone Eater" is a juvenile monster flick that cost only $700,000, but it's entertaining: It’s surprisingly impressive in ways and sometimes moving; there are even some gems to mine, not to mention the fabulous locations and the awe-inspiring presence of Clara Bryant (Kelly) and Jennifer Lee Wiggins (Kaya). So if you have a taste for Grade B creature features like 1972's "Gargoyles" you'll probably appreciate it. If, on the other hand, you can't handle cartoony storytelling and TV-budget effects, stay away.

The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot at Sable Ranch, Santa Clarita, and Vasquez Rocks, California, with exterior shots of Alabama Hills, California.

GRADE: B+