_**Group Interest vs. Self Interest**_

"Flu Birds" aired on TV in 2008 as "Flu Bird Horror. It is a low-budget creature-on-the-loose flick about mutant reptilian birds wreaking havoc on a group of juvenile delinquents lost deep in the forest. The birds spread a hideous disease to the people they bite or scratch. The Feds quarantine the hospital that an afflicted hunter is brought to and decide to airstrike the birds, whether the teens are still in the area or not. Meanwhile a ranger and a doctor desperately search for the kids.

The film combines the delinquents-on-the-run aspect of "The Warriors" with the flying-reptile angle of "Gargoyles" and the skin-eating disease element of "Cabin Fever."

Most reviewers tear the film apart. Are their low-ratings and heavy criticisms legitimate or simply a knee-jerk result of these modern sci-fi TV flicks being such easy targets? While some of their criticisms are valid, I say "Flu Birds" delivers both as a creatures-run-amok flick and as a fascinating human interest tale.

As far as the former goes, the reptilian birds are quite effective, in ways reminiscent of the gargoyles in 1972's excellent TV flick "Gargoyles" (although the DVD cover completely misrepresents the creatures). One reviewer lambasted the scenes where the birds attack a jeep and helicopter as "inept filmmaking," but I thought they were effectively done. The sequences depicting the skin-eating disease are well done as well; actually, the disease is scarier than the birds. Also, there's lots o' gore for those who care.

In addition, the film has a good babes-on-the-run factor with Rebekah Kochan as Lola leading the way. She prances around with denim shorts the entire movie and she's pleasing to the eye. But don't get me wrong, the various women in the film do more than just flee in terror; they lead, they fight, and a couple are doctors.

Also, while there's a decidedly comic-book vibe to the proceedings and a few humorous moments, the filmmakers and cast all take the material seriously and evade the rut of camp (with the exception of maybe Porky), even though there are some scenes with dubious acting, which is to be expected in low-budget fare like this.

Other pluses include the great opening/ending score, as well as spectacular Romanian locations, particularly during the opening credits; post-production was done in Louisiana.

It's in the realm of human interest, however, that "Flu Birds" scores its highest points.

At it's core the movie addresses the conflict of self interest vs. group interest. The Feds are depicted as ruthless in their drive to extinguish the threat of the dino-birds and the disease they spread. Anyone who gets in the way must simply be removed (i.e. slain). And who can blame 'em since they are trying to save millions at the cost of a mere handful? The whole is greater than the one, as they say.

The teens are all delinquent loners from dysfunctional families who are just starting to learn the importance of sacrifice of the self (or the few) for the greater good of the many. In fact, the film starts out with them on retreat from juvenile jail to learn the importance of community and the team concept.

Johnson, the lead teen played by Jonathon Trent, is reminiscent of James Remar's Ajax in "The Warriors" (1979). Although he initially comes off obnoxious and uncaring the viewer can't help but sense something commendable beneath the surface, including his passion to survive. He possesses a wild, dangerous air and this naturally attracts the blonde hottie. It also attracts the allegiance of the other two main guys in the group, Derrick and Gordon (aka 'Hip Hop'), despite the fact that Johnson is too tough on both at times. But the reason he's hard on them is because it's a life or death situation. And even though the other leader of the group, Eva (Sarah Butler), loathes his seemingly uncaring, selfish nature she's willing to work with him to survive. She also has an epiphany about Johnson at the end. (Sarah Butler, by the way, also played the lead in the 2010 remake of the infamous "I Spit On Your Grave").

The teens face no less than three episodes that present the possibility of sacrifice -- in a tunnel, at a hunter's house and again in the tunnel again. During the initial episode the group votes on whether or not to sacrifice the disease-ridden Porky as a diversion for the birds so the rest can escape. Johnson argues that Porky is as good as dead already since he's clearly dying from the disease, but Porky objects. I guess Porky would rather suffer a slow, agonizing death in the lonely darkness of the cave than a relatively quick death as a diversion so his fellow delinquents might have a chance at living. Regardless, notice how the members' attitudes contrast Porky's in the two subsequent episodes. It's an interesting study and reveals the teens' growth in the crisis.

FINAL WORD: Yes, "Flu Birds" has a laughable title and a ridiculous premise, but don't 95% of these Grade B creature features? Yes, there's some questionable acting and the film has a comic-booky vibe. Regardless, "Flu Birds" entertains and delivers in all the requisite areas as a TV-budget nature-runs-amok flick, but it's greatness emerges in its study of human nature and self vs. group dynamics.

If you can look beneath the Grade B trappings. "Flu Birds", like "Sasquatch Mountain" (2006), possesses depth even while it entertains and is therefore worthy of time and respect.

The movie runs 89 minutes.

GRADE: B