Known for being a highly intelligent bird, as well as being a cultural and mythical creature dating back centuries, the moment ravens became ingrained in the consciousness of horror history can probably be traced back to Edgar Alan Poe's famous poem, "The Raven". There's no denying that I find myself creeped-out by these jet black and cunning scavengers and the makers of Kaw are hoping you are too.

Unfortunately, this feels like a movie that would be right at home on the Sci-Fi Channel as it ends-up bringing nothing new to the table and has attack scenes (and CGI that goes with it) that just aren't that exciting to watch. Of course, since Alfred Hitchcock unleashed The Birds on the unsuspecting public in 1963, it's much more difficult for a "killer birds" movie to not be put under heavier scrutiny, even though I tried to take this for what it is: a low-budget, quickie creature feature.

Sean Patrick Flanery plays small town sheriff, Wayne, who has resigned his position and is about to start his last day on the job before he moves with wife Cynthia (Kristin Booth) to the big city. It promises to be another uneventful day in a town where very little of note happens. Of course, we know otherwise, as a farmer accidentally backs over a raven and is attacked in a flurry of snapping beaks and flapping black wings.

Seems that the local raven population has been acting a bit strangely lately and it may just be the fault of the local, overly religious Mennonite community after their sickly cattle (which had mad cow, making this the second instance of the disease being used as a plot mechanic I've seen in the past year or so, the other being The Mad) is fed on by the birds. For the remainder of Kaw various locals come under attack by the maddened fowl, Wayne and other townsfolk end-up trapped in the town's diner, and Cynthia winds-up in trouble of her own when her snooping on Mennonite land gets her trapped in a well. This gives us various, mostly passable raven attacks including an overlong, and much too dark, scene where they prey on some kids trapped in a school bus with local mechanic/driver Clyde (Stephen McHattie).

While not at first intended as a TV movie, Kaw did eventually premiere on cable, which isn't much of a surprise since the whole thing has a "made-for-television" vibe to it as the makers never seem to want to push anything beyond the clichés they've set-up. The script by Benjamin Sztajnkrycer is pretty old hat if you excise the whole, admittedly silly, Mennonite angle (I pity the actors who had to sport obviously fake beards and spout inane religious blather in the roles) and it never takes any chances. This also holds true for director Sheldon Wilson who keeps things pretty pedestrian in execution. It's a decent enough looking movie, there's just not much to keep your interest. There's not enough opportunity taken on the bloodshed front and not enough done with the story.

This isn't to say this is a complete waste as it does manage to be a moderately watchable time and at least it's better than a lot of the crap you see coming from the Sci-Fi Channel (I point at Manticore and Hammerhead for proof) plus it manages to generally be well acted with veteran actors McHattie and Rod Taylor (as the town's doctor) giving the movie experienced performances. Flanery also makes a serviceable hero but, in my mind, will forever be remembered from the title role in Young Indiana Jones.

Like most Canadian-shot horror flicks, Kaw doesn't demand your time but if you happen to stumble across it on cable it makes for an acceptable 92 minutes. Let's just see what Wilson can do at the helm of yet another unwanted DTV sequel, Screamers 2. (Chris Hartley, 4/16/08)

Directed By: Sheldon Wilson.
Written By: Benjamin Sztajnkrycer.

Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Stephen McHattie, Kristin Booth, John Ralston.