Based on the Dean R. Koontz novel this takes no time straying from the source material (in fact just the bare bones idea of the book is used) as following a government lab explosion two experimental animals escape: one a ultra-smart golden retriever, the other a killing machine mutated monster that's telekinetically linked to the dog. Teenager Corey Haim befriends the four-legged genius and soon is being hunted not only by the beast (who knocks-off a bunch of people in bloody ways) but by some government agents led by bad-ass Michael Ironside (who's the best thing here).

While this is a bearable time and it wisely keeps the creature hidden (because when it does show up it looks like a poor modified ape suit) this suffers from a slim plot, some weak dialogue and a general lack of thrills. Throw in a finale that's a total Predator clone (right down to Haim preparing himself for a final battle) and a last third that's hard going and you have a movie that just barely escapes a *½ rating.

Prepare for some unintentional chuckles when Haim and the dog play scrabble with each other.

Followed by three sequels.

Directed By: Jon Hess.
Written By: Bill Freed, Damian Lee.

Starring: Corey Haim, Barbara Williams, Michael Ironside, Lala.