Reviewed by: Jonny Botsch

When two snake movies hit the DVD shelf at the same time, it begs comparison. So, let the showdown of two less-than-stellar direct to video horror flicks begin.

Anacondas: Trail of Blood is the fourth film in the Anaconda franchise and the second of two TV movies (the first starred David Hasselhoff). These last two movies spin directly off of the second movie Hunt for the Blood Orchid and continue the research for a serum that could be a modern day "fountain of youth". The movie itself is surprisingly quick for such a low budget affair. The cast is decent, boasting names like John Rhys-Davies, who reprises his role from the last flick, as does Crystal Allen who is the pretty scientist now bent on destroying these creatures. New to the franchise is Linden Ashby who some might remember as Johnny Cage from the Mortal Kombat the movie. This movie, although quite bad by most movie standards, is a fun addition to the Anaconda series that features many hallmarks of the original.

Silent Venom must have lost much of its selling power when it had its name changed from Snakes On A Sub. Okay, that wasn't the origianl title but it should have been. Instead of Samuel L. Jackson, we’re stuck with a cardboard cutout of 90210’s Luke Perry…oh wait, that is Luke Perry! Perry plays the sub’s captain who must fight highly venomous snakes that have caught a ride aboard his vessel. The pretty scientist in this movie is played by Krista Allen, who makes Denise Richards’ portrayal of a nuclear physicist in The World is Not Enough look powerful. Worst of all the CG snakes that slithered through the sub are so terrible it was like watching an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess from the nineties! All in all, this movie is a sad and misguided venture.

Although both films will only appeal to B movie fans, Silent Venom takes itself too seriously and may not even appeal to that crowd. With a better cast and somehow even better special effects, Anacondas wins hands down as my snake movie to watch if you were forced to watch a snake movie!