Directed by a former English teacher (whose students included David Copperfield and Vamp director Richard Wenk), The Deadly Spawn opens with a meteorite depositing an extra-terrestrial antagonist in Hicksville, but rather than a benevolent being in a rubber costume, these aliens resemble slimy, oversized pink worms with multiple rows of teeth, which they put to good use in the first five minutes, snacking on a pair of campers before moving on to the rest of the neighbourhood. Somehow able to sneak around despite their alarming size and appearance, these toothy predators proceed to tear off faces, bite off heads and generally be a nuisance to the townsfolk, such as when they invade a vegetarian dinner party. Fortunately, theres a young sci-fi fan on hand that knows aliens and electricity dont mix well and sets about baiting a trap before the creatures can slime his collection of vintage movie posters. Spawn has its flaws, all right: theres too much talk, scenes go on too long and lack the punch they mightve had, but heck, you could say that about several dozen pricier, supposedly better movies. The filmmakers mightve had an Ed Wood budget, but they didnt make an Ed Wood movie and the performances, effects and music are all pretty decent.