NOT the worst in the series...
... That distinction goes to Tremors 3.
Tremors 4 certainly isn't the masterpiece that the first one was. It isn't even as fun as the second film. Still, it is a major leap above the third film and has a lot going for it.
Tremors 4 did it right. The filmmakers opted to go in a much different direction, but still maintaining the basic ingredients that have made the Tremors films so much fun.
Setting the fourth film in the Old West could've been a disaster, but this was a stroke of genius. By setting the fourth film in a totally different time period, the filmmakers avoided having to set the story in the same type of place like the first two sequels. Having another Tremors film take place in the same present-day town with the same situations would've been repetitive. Seeing the town grow from its Old West roots was refreshing and fun to watch. Plus, setting the town in the Old West gives the graboid scenes more urgency and suspense because of the limited technology that the characters had to defend themselves with.
Having Michael Gross play against type was also a smart, albeit ballsy move. Although Hiram Gummer isn't Burt Gummer, he is a direct descendent. If Hiram would've arrived like a bad ass Clint Eastwood Man-With-No-Name character, he would've been too predictable and typical. It simply would've been Burt Gummer in a cowboy hat. It's interesting to watch Hiram go through his metamorphosis from weasily whimp to sacrificial hero. Fans of the series can't deny that they didn't get a big smile on their faces when Hiram unloaded with the gattling gun at the end. This was made effective because his transformation to the Gummer we all know and love was complete. We then knew that all of his descendents would be gun-toting, bomb-building, commie-hating survivalists that shoot first and ask questions later.
Also, a big plus of the fourth film is that the filmmakers don't try to reinvent the wheel with the creatures. Directors/producers/writers of creature films seem to think they have to create a new monster in every film and that just isn't the case. We the fans know what we love and what works and what doesn't. The Tremors films get their name from the fact that the creatures feel the "tremors" created by humans (which leads them to their prey) and, in turn, the humans feel the creatures' tremors. All of this was lost with the introduction of the Shriekers and the ridiculous Ass Blasters (shame on you part 3 writers). Here, we get the old sand worms that we all loved from the first film.
Billy Drago as Black Hand Kelly is also a strong addition to the cast. His character is a total death-dealing gunslinger hired by Hiram to do the dirty work. SPOILERS - Having his character die early on is a clear indication that the writers weren't afraid to show that no one is safe in Graboid Land. It's also obviously a great set-up for challenging Hiram with the fateful decision of rising to the task of being the reluctant town hero.
Tremors 4 also looks much better than Tremors 3 - which felt cheap. The budget seems a little higher and the production design of the Old West is convincing. The costumes look authentic and the music is much better this time around. Plus, we get a lot of the good old-fashioned rubber puppets. It's a good feeling to see the creatures brought to life this tried-and-true way again.
All in all, Tremors 4 could've been a rehash of the same old thing, but it isn't. As a fan, you know when the creators of a beloved films series stop caring when they just rehash the same old, tired formula. Fortunately, the creators of Tremors 4 cared to breathe new life into a series that, after the third film, looked like it was doomed.
Tremors 4 - A good film that deserves more credit than it usually gets.