Film Review: Primitive War – A B-grade Monster Movie that Prioritizes Character Over Carnage

Australian filmmaker Luke Sparke’s Primitive War attempts to deliver something unique by blending two distinct genres: war action and dinosaur-centric creature features. Set against the backdrop of 1960s Vietnam, the film introduces a ragtag group of soldiers who are soon thrust into a prehistoric nightmare. While the idea of mixing war drama with dinosaurs is an intriguing one, the film struggles to fully execute its ambitious vision. At 130 minutes, the movie leans heavily into character development at the expense of the thrilling carnage that audiences expect from a B-grade monster movie.

Premise and Setup: A War with a Twist

The movie kicks off with the familiar tune of “Fortunate Son,” setting the stage for a Vietnam War action film. We follow a group of soldiers, led by a no-nonsense Ryan Kwanten, who are tasked with a mission that takes a strange and unexpected turn. As the film unfolds, the soldiers realize their assignment is far more complicated than they were told, with Jeremy Piven adding his signature comedic touch as their foul-mouthed commander.

The 1960s Vietnam setting works well to anchor the characters in a world of psychological tension and trauma. However, it soon becomes clear that Primitive War spends a significant amount of time fleshing out these characters, which ultimately detracts from the action. Instead of diving straight into the dino-infested chaos, the audience is subjected to long stretches of machismo banter between the soldiers, which feels predictable and tiresome.

Character Development: Too Much Focus on the Wrong Elements

While it’s commendable that Sparke wants to delve into the psychological effects of war, the film spends too much time exploring the soldiers’ personalities at the expense of delivering the mayhem and destruction promised by its premise. The characters’ interactions feel repetitive, with little beyond their stereotypical roles: the tough guy, the wisecracker, the emotionally scarred one, etc. This character focus creates a disconnect when the movie eventually turns into a chaotic, B-grade romp featuring Russian scientists and rampaging dinosaurs.

Instead of being immersed in a thrilling battle for survival, we’re left with soldiers debating their trauma and experiences. While this could work in a more grounded war film, in Primitive War, it feels out of place, especially when the dinosaurs start appearing. The movie never fully commits to the absurdity of its premise, making it hard for the audience to find the right tone.

Dinosaur Mayhem: The Heart of the Film

Once the dinosaurs finally take center stage, Primitive War finds its groove—albeit too late. The variety of dinosaur species tearing through the soldiers is entertaining and delivers the kind of carnage fans expect. The practical effects, considering the film’s budget, are impressive, with the creatures looking surprisingly believable. However, these moments of violent chaos are few and far between, with the film often drifting back to its exploration of character dynamics and emotional conflict.

The problem lies in the lack of balance. The film teases its monster movie elements early on but takes too long to fully deliver the thrills. Once the creatures finally show up, they offer a fun spectacle, but by that point, much of the audience’s patience may have worn thin.

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity

In the end, Primitive War succeeds in its ambition to merge two very different genres, but it ultimately falters by focusing too much on its characters and not enough on the chaos and excitement that the premise promises. The war element, while important, gets bogged down in unnecessary drama, leaving the dinosaur carnage feeling like an afterthought. That said, the film still manages to provide an enjoyable, if flawed, monster movie experience, especially when the creatures finally get their time to shine.

While Primitive War may not be the monster movie fans were hoping for, its theatrical release is a win for the Australian film industry, and Luke Sparke’s vision for genre storytelling remains an exciting prospect for future projects. Hopefully, with more support and funding, Sparke can deliver a more balanced film in the future—one that fully embraces its chaotic premise.

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