Q (1982)
aka The Winged Serpent
Article 5971 by Dave Sindelar
Date: 4-29-2021
Directed by Larry Cohen
Featuring David Carradine, Michael Moriarty, Candy Clark
Country: USA
What it is: Big Bird gone real bad
A giant winged serpent is snacking on the people of New York City. Where did it come from? And what can be done about it?
It’s a rare thing when the giant monster in a giant monster movie is upstaged by the human story, but that’s how this one plays out. Credit goes to Michael Moriarty; his performance as a small-time crook who tries to parley his knowledge of the monster’s hiding place into a pardon and a fortune is a phenomenal piece of acting. The movie also has a good sense of humor and David Carradine is also outstanding as the police detective who tries to link the monster with a series of ritual murders. The movie has only a lukewarm rating on IMDB, but I found it engaging from beginning to end. This one is recommended.