In an updated version of the 1971 classic, the ever-creepy Crispin Glover plays Willard Stiles. Willard's father has committed suicide after his company is bought out by his former partner Frank Martin, played by R Lee Eremy. Martin, to be nice to Willard's aging mother, agreed to give Willard a job as long as his mother is alive. Martin pushes all of Willard's buttons every chance he gets and make it clear that he does not like or care for him in any form what so ever. The best part of all this is R Lee, who is just awesome when he gets it going. Back at home, Willard's mother is a creepy, paranoid old bag who thinks Willard is always going to leave her, and spends all day whining and moaning to her son.

The old Stiles mansion also has a small rat problem, by small I mean about 1,000 rats per every one human in the house. While trying to eliminate the rats, Willard comes across a white rat who he spares and names Socrates. Willard and Socrates quickly become friends and Willard gives Socrates special privileges in the house in return for Socrates keeping the other rats in control. This bides over fine until Ben, the largest of the rats, begins to get jealous. After some brief training and preparation Willard uses his rodent horde to wreck havoc on all those who have wronged him, but at what cost to himself?

Unlike the original, this one is a definite horror flick. Glover is out for retribution and the image of him in the trench coat with two large luggage bags or rats is quite frightening. Although not a lot of gore, you just get that feeling of eeeewwww from watching all of the rats run around the set and actors. The shining spot for me is R Lee’s Frank Martin, he is dispisable and you just love him for it. I love the scene where he is looking at internet porn in his office. I liked the original better, but this was a good update and had a great cast. Worth a rent over the weekend.

5 out of 10

I have to admit: I wasn't expecting much. But at $5 during a "Buy 2 get 2" sale at my local video chain, I couldn't resist. In my mind, Glover's performance in The River's Edge was enough for me to check out anything in which he may show up, and forgive a lifetime of David Letterman-styled kicks to the head.

I was pleasantly surprised. Willard is dark and creepy, and has several of those "HOLY $#%!!" moments I love so well; in this case overhead shots of thousands of rats pouring into a room while Glover just stands there, clearly their commander, did the trick.

Not only that, but Willard is also a very funny black comedy. When his mother bemoans her son's horrible life of torment by his peers and lack of interest from the opposite sex, she blames it all on his weak name and announces "from now on, your name is Clark." And proceeds to call him that for the rest of the film. That bizarre moment of randomness becomes characteristic of the film, and several such moments are peppered throughout.

The acting is terrific all around (even though there are really only 2 main characters and 2 supporting) and, while everything Prime mentioned about genre favorite R. Lee Ermey is true, the film simply wouldn't work without a solid, believable performance by Crispin Glover. Thankfully, he delivers, in a turn that is alternately (and sometimes simultaneously) creepy, horrifying, and sympathetic. The film itself works in a similar fashion; in one scene without any actors whatsoever, it almost brought Burrito to tears (don't tell him; he'll kill me).

In short, Willard works. I give it 8 out of 10 cats who can use the remote control.