Larry Cohen's typically odd and witty entry in the world of the creature feature isn't the straight-faced monster mash one might imagine. Instead, it is actually an offbeat character study with a few horror movie trappings thrown in for a bit of B-movie spice. The story might be anchored by the police investigation that leads to the creature mentioned in the title, but its true heart is the strange tale of Jimmy Quinn. This unusual story structure works thanks to an extraordinary performance from Michael Moriarty, whose Method-actor fireworks transform Quinn into a character that is pathetic and poignant all at once. Whether he is bargaining with the mayor's representatives for a "Nixon-type pardon" or refusing to bow to demands, he steals every scene he's in. David Carradine and Richard Roundtree also contribute some inspired work as the two detectives on the case, managing to avoid the usual clichés of such characters by tackling them in a low-key, witty style. On the downside, writer/director Larry Cohen's fast and quick style results in some noticeable rough edges to his work. The fascinating subplot about the modern-day Aztec cult that revives the monster gets lost in the headlong rush to wrap up the story and the hastily assembled effects used to bring the serpent god to life are a hit-and-miss affair. Despite these problems, Q: The Winged Serpent remains an entertaining affair because its take on the genre is genuinely inspired and it is truly difficult for the viewer to guess what intriguingly strange thing will happen next. As a result, Q: The Winged Serpent is an ideal pick for horror fans who can appreciate a new variation on an old genre.