**_“Scorpions on a Plane” five years before “Snakes on a Plane”_** Passengers & crew on a flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles have to contend with mutated scorpions inadvertently released from the cargo bay. “Tail Sting” (2001) is an amusing creature feature on a direct-to-video budget. Armchair critics write it off as cheesy low-budget monster dreck and, I suppose, that’s what it is. But at least it’s legitimately funny in a droll way. The female cast is okay with Laura Putney (Jennifer), Shirly Brener (Shannon) and Tara Price (Courtney). They coulda been utilized better. The setting is too one-dimensional and the non-CGI effects are quaint, but there are just enough thrills for a throwaway flick with a TV budget. I can’t help wonder if this was the inspiration for “Snakes on a Plane,” which came out five years later. The movie runs 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles (going by the credits) with the opening reportedly done in New Zealand. GRADE: C

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