Some things I liked some I did not.

A Disappointing Continuation

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Just saw this on Me-TV. This isn't a snake; it's a damn dog. Boring as hell with zero payoff. The doctor has some random (completely ridiculous) idea that snakes will somehow survive in the future when humans won't or something like that. Well, being cold-blooded, snakes would be lost in the cold so there's one of many evolutionary advantages we have. That we have limbs, vastly superior hearing and the power to reason are just other reasons why snakes being evolutionary darlings over us is moronic. That neither Dirk (poor Dirk) or the girl wouldn't have a clue all those shots were causing trouble (or even necessary) is dumbfounding. Then the doctor dies, not by getting bit by Dirk, but by getting cocky and getting bit by a cobra! He's just talking to a snake, as usual, and, oops, gets bit and dies. Oh, and there's the thing with the python killing and eating that guy even though the snake is way too small and the guy way too big to be realistic. They even had a doll shoe sticking out of the snake's mouth to make it look like he'd been eaten.

A well executed 1970s update of mad scientist type stories, "Sssssss" is good, solid horror from the mind of story author Daniel C. Striepeke. It definitely has the appeal of classic schlock, right down to that goofy title, but it's made with skill, with Bernard L. Kowalski ("Attack of the Giant Leeches") in the directors' chair. The performances are excellent, as is the convincing makeup devised by John Chambers (the "Planet of the Apes" series), Nick Marcellino, and Mr. Striepeke.Once again, the great screen character actor Strother Martin is pleasing to watch, in the role of Dr. Carl Stoner, our crazed protagonist. Carl, a noted snake expert, runs a laboratory with his daughter Kristina (Heather Menzies-Urich, "Piranha" '78), and he currently needs another assistant. So he procures the services of college student David (Dirk Benedict, 'The A-Team'). Unfortunately, poor David has just been selected to not really be an assistant, but a new guinea pig for Carls' insane, hideous experiments.Ordinarily, one wouldn't root for a character as twisted as Carl, but Martin is just such an engaging actor that you can't bring yourself to completely hate him. The hunky Benedict and the cute Menzies-Urich are similarly likable, which makes the ultimate transformation all the more horrific. Richard B. Shull, Tim O'Connor, and Jack Ging give solid supporting performances, and veteran B movie stud Reb Brown amuses in his debut film role as bullying, egotistical jock (is there any other kind in movies?) Steve Randall.There are a number of fine scenes, but one highlight for sure is when Kristina lays eyes on the "snake boy" in a carnival and makes a stunned realization.A worthy viewing for horror buffs.Eight out of 10.

Wonderfully photographed and directed with a very clever attention to detail and realism, this killer-snake thriller is highlighted by the on-camera dangerous handling of venomous reptiles such as black mambas, king cobras...etc, but ultimately it becomes a mess due to its ridiculous and disappointing climax and conclusion.Strother Martin is good as Dr. Carl Stoner (who is quite likable at first), a mad scientist who recruits inquiring student, Dirk Benedict to act as a human guinea pig for his radical experiments dealing with snake venom in turning the human race into super-evolved, intelligent reptiles. With the help of naive daughter, Heather Menzies, who eventually falls for her obsessed daddy's lab-rat, Dr. Stoner plans on making poor Dirk the first of the species. The characters are likable (including some of the snakes), the stylish Patrick Williams piano music adds suspense, and scenes involving the slithering serpents are brilliant. (Including real snake-bites and venom extractions), and there's a suspenseful revenge subplot involving a cocky jock and a vicious black mamba. This begins to fall apart when Dirk starts turning into the creepy-looking "snake-man", and Dr. Stoner's actions and intentions become incredibility vague and unreasonable. The well-developed relationships between the characters are sadly thwarted, and there is a most nonsensical scene where a python swallows an entire man. This is worth seeing especially for reptile enthusiasts, and it fits prominently in with the rest of the "natures' killer animals" genre flicks of the 1970s. All in all, this little film definitely does have some "bite".

A doctor who specializes in snakes develops a way to turn a human being into a king cobra! Will he use this on the college student who has just became his new assistant? Sssssss (love that campy title, that's seven S's folks) is an above-average man-becomes-creature horror film. The film is very well made and despite its seemingly cheesy premise actually creates itself an effectively serious tone. The story is intriguing, thanks largely to the likable and well-rounded characters, and builds to some terrifically chilling scenes as well as a nice show-down finale. The makeup effects are solidly created and genuinely creepy. The lovely music score by Patrick Williams is also a highlight.The cast is definitely one of the films best features. Veteran actor Strother Martin is excellent as he balances his performance between fatherly teacher and sinister scientist. Young Dirk Benedict is charming as Martin's young assistant and attractive Heather Menzies delivers a sincere performance as Martin's daughter, and Benedict's love interest. Also Reb Brown makes for a good bully.So, you don't have to like snakes to enjoy this intelligent old-fashioned horror tale. It's definitely one of the best of its kind and well worth catching for fans of old school B horror.*** 1/2 out of ****