Human Centipede: This... Just Got Real

By Chris Kavan - 05/15/10 at 11:55 AM CT

I always say there's no limit to human depravity. I say to myself "What can I find that will shock and or disgust me today?"

Have I become so desensitized and jaded that I am beyond help? Are there limits even for me? If you look at my movies I own list (it's long, but alphabetical!) you'll see my tastes are all over the map, but certain films - Ichi the Killer, Cannibal Holocaust, Salo, Battle Royale, I Stand Alone, Man Bites Dog - amongst others - are all meant to push the limits.

Which brings me to the meme-tastic and flavor of the now film that is Human Centipede (First Sequence) directed by Tom Six. Any film that Ebert refused to rate: “I am required to award stars to movies I review. This time, I refuse to do it. The star rating system is unsuited to this film.” must be doing something terribly wrong... or so it would seem.

*Spoilers below*

So a mad Mengele-type doctor has the grand idea to create a "human centipede" which consists of three people (two ditzy women, a Japanese man) connected together. The hook of the film comes from the way the three are connected: mouth to rectum. What purpose does this serve? Only our mad doctor knows, but certain bodily functions happen... I guess if you know the term coprophagia, that explains it all.

Anyway, the film rides this one sick idea, but aside from the gimmick, seems to have little else going for it. Yet Six has said a "Full Sequence" sequel is already planned that will make the current film look like My Little Pony. As for me, I'll probably end up watching it, not in theaters, but on cable or somewhere and I'll see if it's enough to cause any adverse reactions, or if I'll just shrug it off.