Tremors 3: Back to Perfection

Tremors 3 - Back to Perfection official release poster

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is a 2001 American monster movie directed by Brent Maddock in his directorial debut. It is the third installment in the Tremors franchise, following Tremors (1990) and Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996). The film sees the return of Michael Gross as survivalist Burt Gummer, battling the subterranean creatures known as Graboids, and their subsequent forms, in the small desert town of Perfection, Nevada.

Plot

The story resumes in Perfection, Nevada, where the local residents are once again threatened by the Graboids, prehistoric giant worms with a taste for human flesh. Burt Gummer, a Graboid hunter and the town's eccentric survivalist, takes the lead in defending the town. The creatures have evolved into their third life cycle stage, known as Ass-Blasters, which are capable of flight and can lay eggs to produce more Graboids, thus continuing the cycle. Gummer, along with a few allies, including Jack Sawyer, a newcomer looking to capitalize on the town's fame, and Jodi Chang, niece of Walter Chang who was a victim in the first film, work together to protect Perfection from this new threat.

Cast

• Michael Gross as Burt Gummer
• Shawn Christian as Jack Sawyer
• Susan Chuang as Jodi Chang
• Charlotte Stewart as Nancy Sterngood
• Ariana Richards as Mindy Sterngood
• Tony Genaro as Miguel
• Barry Livingston as Dr. Andrew Merliss
• John Pappas as Agent Charlie Rusk

Production

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection was produced by Stampede Entertainment, with the original creators, S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, returning as writers. Despite its direct-to-video release, the film maintained the humor and creature-feature elements that fans of the franchise had come to appreciate. The practical effects for the Graboids and their subsequent forms were a significant aspect of the film's production, continuing the series' tradition of using physical effects over CGI wherever possible.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics but was generally well-received by fans of the franchise for its humor, creature effects, and the return of Michael Gross as Burt Gummer. It has since gained a cult following, similar to its predecessors.

Legacy

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection was followed by several more sequels and a television series, further expanding the Tremors universe. The character of Burt Gummer became a cult icon, with Michael Gross reprising his role in subsequent entries, making him a staple of the franchise.

See Also

• Tremors (franchise)
• List of monster movies
• Direct-to-video