When I stumbled upon this 2006 TV movie in 2021, I must admit that I wasn't really harboring much of any great expectations as the movie had that particular SyFy or The Asylum aura to it. But still, I hadn't already seen the movie, and the basilisk is an interesting mythological creature, so of course I sat down to watch it.

Writers Will McCarthy and Chase Parker actually managed to churn out a storyline and script that was actually wholesome enough and provided me with sufficient entertainment. Sure, this wasn't a great nor top of the line creature feature, but it proved to be enjoyable and entertaining enough for what it was.

Visually then "Basilisk: The Serpent King" was adequate. The CGI used to bring the basilisk alive was okay for the most of the movie, which definitely helped to make the movie watchable. However, you should not be expecting to be in for a grand spectacle of impressive CGI effects here.

The movie does have an okay enough cast ensemble. I think Jeremy London is actually a fair actor and he does carry "Basilisk: The Serpent King" quite well with his performance. And he was joined by the likes of Griff Furst and Yancy Butler.

"Basilisk: The Serpent King" provides sufficient entertainment for a single viewing. However, this is hardly a movie that you will be watching more than just once.

My rating of the 2006 TV movie "Basilisk: The Serpent King" lands on a five out of ten stars.

A long time ago in 112 A.D. Cyrenaica, during an eclipse, a giant snake-like creature wakes up and attacks a group of men. This is "Basilisk: The Serpent King" and he is angry. Basilisk spits out a long stream of white stuff, which turns people into stone. Two thousand years later, in present day Libya, a team of archaeologists led by steadfast Jeremy London (as Harrison "Harry" McColl) dig around in the same area. Watch out! They discover some artifacts which will lead to the return of Basilisk, but not quite yet...

Two months later, in Pueblo Springs, Colorado, Mr. London meets attractive blonde archaeologist Wendy Carter (as Rachel Donegal). He really digs her, even with sexy Yancy Butler (as Hannah) hanging out. They are at an archaeological event during an eclipse when, like the first one, Basilisk wakes up. This time, he seems even angrier. And, with good reason. According to geeky scientist Griff Furst (as Rudy),"Basilisk: The Serpent King" is pregnant. If the snake king isn't destroyed, there will be 18-20 more...

Yikes!

*** Basilisk: The Serpent King (11/25/06) Stephen Furst ~ Jeremy London, Wendy Carter, Griff Furst, Yancy Butler

Basilisk: The Serpent King is in my opinion not a good movie, however SyFy with movies like Titanic II, 2010: Moby Dick, Alien vs Hunter and Quantum Apocalypse have done worse. This does get plus points for the scene where the Basilisk comes to life in the museum, which is the best and most cool-looking scene of the film I feel, Yancy Butler who manages to give her role some credibility, an interesting idea and some nice scenery.

On the other hand, Basilisk: The Serpent King does have one too many moments where it gets unintentionally comical or unrealistic, and this is not just the scene where the Basilisk kills the girl with the sceptre but also the scenes where they pretend to be mannequins and the Basilisk ignores him like literally and when you see 24-carat gold being carried like it weighed nothing at all.

Also, while SyFy have definitely had much worse graphics, I think Alien vs. Hunter, Titanic II and Mega Piranha had the worst, there are some scenes where they do look on the cheap side, but I am not sure whether it was the graphics or the lazy editing that was the problem. The music was forgettable and for me not very dynamic. The script contains some very cheesy and inane lines that are awkwardly placed and delivered especially with the killing I mentioned(she actually tells the Basilisk off for ruining her dress which seemed made that scene awkwardly funny in alternative to nail-biting).

The concept isn't so bad actually, the execution is what bogs the story down. It all feels very predictable, with none of the killings having any suspense or tension to them. At least three scenes don't make much sense, but I haven't yet mentioned the ending which felt very dumb and rushed. I have to give some credit and say it is not a dull story, which is yet another reason why this film is better than others that have all the flaws I have mentioned to am about to mention and suffer from this too.

When it comes to the characters, Basilisk: The Serpent King also fails. The Basilisk actually is quite cool if not very menacing. The human characters though are shallow and stereotyped, you don't care for them or their situations at all. Butler aside, the acting is really bland or overdone, with uneven line delivery and one too many "pregnant" pauses in between. Finally, the title, would've been a somewhat obvious but epic title if the film hadn't contradicted the Basilisk's gender.

In conclusion, not the worst SyFy has done, but not very good. 4/10 Bethany Cox