Generally, I only review films that have no - or very few - other reviews. Sometimes, though, I have to add a review as counterweight when a film has been seriously undersold by other IMDb users - which brings me to Hood Rat. Yes, the film is a low budget chiller about rats running rampant in the ghetto, and yes, the film's transitional sequences and special effects leave something to be desired. However, this is far from the mindless piece of exploitation garbage other reviews suggest. It's clear screenwriter Stan Foster has more than gore on his mind, with his script offering a sympathetic yet realistic depiction of homelessness as well as a harsh assessment of ghetto living conditions. Isaiah Washington is outstanding as Max, who lives on the street with his wheeelchair-bound alcoholic brother; Ice-T is as good as ever as building manager Grady; and Hill Street Blues veteran Taurean Blacque devours the scenery (in a good way!) as slumlord Souilliez. There is a lot more going on here than cheap thrills. Hood Rat is no hidden classic, but it is a solid and well-written B picture.
