It's one thing to incorporate one or more shit jokes into your film, but to base a films' entire 80-minute runtime on this one very shit joke? Its gotta be either the most brilliant or the dumbest move in motion picture history. Monsturd takes said challenge with a grain of salt and offers up a full-length shot on video feature about...yup, you guessed it - a shit monster. The success (or lack there of) would lie solely on the execution then, wouldn't it? Because let's face it, a solitary shit joke (no matter how funny a shit joke) is only gonna get you so far - right? Right.

The wraparound story behind Monsturd involves a young girl and her father late one evening, just around bedtime. Insisting that he tell her a bedtime story, the young girls' father turns the tables on his daughter, as he requests that she tell him a bedtime story this evening instead (ahhhh, sweet delicious irony). The story she relates involves a sinister plot behind the Dutech Corporation. Apparently they've been doing some unethical research, involving some "mutant creations" (or so they say). Just about this time (while Dutech is in their prime - hey, I rhymed!), criminal Jack Schmitt has also conveniently escaped from the local prison.

Apparantly those involved with Dutech have been dumping their chemicals in the local neighborhood sewer systems, so guess where Schmitt manages an escape to? Yup, the sewer system - and wouldn't you just know it, he has a reaction to the chemicals, eventually finding himself turning into the title character, The Monsturd. The Monsturd then begins to wreak havoc all around town, creeping out of toilets and covering unsuspecting citizens with...well, turd. With the police hot on its trail, they'll need to stop the Monsturd before the great chili cook off, I sure as hell betcha didn't see that one coming!

So, what we have here, is basically a one-joke movie with a lot of lowbrow toilet humor. What works here, is the fact that it's camp that's played off mostly straight. Not in a pretentious way mind you, meaning that the actors aren't constantly winking at the audience. Those involved are fully aware that what they are making is indeed camp, but the fact that it's played straight definitely works to their advantage. For example, it's ludicrous to think that a 9-year old girl would relay such a complex and sinister tale to her father with such seriousness, just before bedtime - yet we accept it, no questions asked.

I also dug the look of the film, with some nifty color schemes (some cool gel work) and nice use of locations. Monsturd has a pretty unique look for a shot on video flick. At times the film almost takes on the role of a distorted fairy tale or comic strip, and I really dug that vibe. It's evident that the film was a labor of love and that all involved had a great time making it. This vibe rubs off onto the audience like a shit stain of love, and it's a pretty good feeling. Especially for those of us who are into the whole indie scene to begin with.

On the minus, acting is a bit weak and in the long run, the film really just tries too hard. Monsturd bites off way more than it can chew, remaining wholly unfocused throughout. Some of the humor just doesn't work and it's really hard to latch onto anything as a whole, the film works much better in bits and pieces. There are moments that will be memorable, but that's about it, just moments. Unfortunately, the glue that is needed to hold it all together seems to be missing. Still, Monsturd is silly fun and a valiant indie effort - definitely a good time. Oh, and dig that end credits theme song, if someone could send me an MP3 of it, I would forever be in your debt.

Image quality is just about what one would expect for a shot on video cheapie. The full frame image looks fine, with some slight noise in a few of the darker, low-light scenes. Something that's to be expected, so no big deal. The clever lighting scheme I spoke of earlier benefits from a fairly clear and artifact free transfer. Audio is unexpectedly presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. Dialogue is clear, music and effects sound pretty great, and directional effects are kept to a minimum - 'nuff said.

Extras include a trailer, a mildly entertaining cast and crew commentary track and about 25-minutes of behind the scenes footage. Basically just raw footage, flubs and some scenes from the films premier. I enjoyed Monsturd for what it's worth, and can't imagine anyone being disappointed after picking up this title. I mean, purchasing a title like Monsturd? You should know exactly what it is you're getting yourself into. So don't expect any sympathy from this end. Oh, and don't be fooled by the gloriously luscious cover art either, as there are no bikini-clad beauties being sucked into a terlet to be found within...shucks.