Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)

They should have let Shatner be Shatner, 4 December 2005

William Shatner is Rack Hansen, a small town veterinarian investigating the mysterious deaths of local farm animals. The State sends scientist Dian Ashley (Tiffany Bolling) to assist and the pair soon determine that thousands of aggressive tarantulas are invading the town.

Kingdom of the Spiders has one of the best theme songs, Peaceful Verde Valley, I believe I've ever heard (please note the sarcasm). With lyrics like this - "Will tomorrow bring the love we need - To last for evermore? - Or could it bring the unknown - That we've never seen before?" - how can you go wrong?

Actually, Kingdom of the Spiders could have been a lot of fun had the decision been made to let Shatner be Shatner. Instead of the over-acting Shatner we all know and have come to love, he's much more subdued here and it really hurts the movie. Kingdom of the Spiders might have been good for a laugh or two had Shatner been allowed to chew the scenery as he's so good at doing.

As for the movie, it's pretty standard 70s Man Vs. Nature type stuff. No real surprises along the way and nothing to really stand out. A little more cheese would have really helped.

3/10