The title alone conjures up images of So-Bad-it's-Good hilarity, but
this is actually a well-made little thriller; at times, it approaches the
hypnotic.
There are actually some chills--minor, to be sure, by today's
standards, but a few scenes really got my pulse racing. And
speaking of setting hearts aflutter, Julia Adams is a raven-haired
beauty who gives Esther Williams more than a run for her money
in the bathing suit department, while Richard Carlson and Richard
Denning display surprisingly lean, fat-free physiques in their own
skimpy trunks.
But, of course, the real star is the Creature. The fantastic makeup
job is quite spectacular, given the time period. Even on land, the
costume maintains its scariness; I particularly like the eerie shots
of the caged Creature staring up from his cell through the bars.
The plot, as such, is ridiculous, of course--but we're thankfully
spared much of the ponderous "scientific explanations" that
hamper other sci-fi B flicks, and damage the very credibility that
such long-winded speeches are (supposedly) meant to establish.
Not too much time is spent pontificating on HOW this creature
came to be, or how he's survived, or why no one's seen him
before--the main goal is to keep from being the next victim of its
appetite.
The DVD edition comes with a pristine print, a fun "Back at the
Black Lagoon" documentary, and the always-fun theatrical trailers.
Definitely worth a look, and the epitome of 50's fun.
this is actually a well-made little thriller; at times, it approaches the
hypnotic.
There are actually some chills--minor, to be sure, by today's
standards, but a few scenes really got my pulse racing. And
speaking of setting hearts aflutter, Julia Adams is a raven-haired
beauty who gives Esther Williams more than a run for her money
in the bathing suit department, while Richard Carlson and Richard
Denning display surprisingly lean, fat-free physiques in their own
skimpy trunks.
But, of course, the real star is the Creature. The fantastic makeup
job is quite spectacular, given the time period. Even on land, the
costume maintains its scariness; I particularly like the eerie shots
of the caged Creature staring up from his cell through the bars.
The plot, as such, is ridiculous, of course--but we're thankfully
spared much of the ponderous "scientific explanations" that
hamper other sci-fi B flicks, and damage the very credibility that
such long-winded speeches are (supposedly) meant to establish.
Not too much time is spent pontificating on HOW this creature
came to be, or how he's survived, or why no one's seen him
before--the main goal is to keep from being the next victim of its
appetite.
The DVD edition comes with a pristine print, a fun "Back at the
Black Lagoon" documentary, and the always-fun theatrical trailers.
Definitely worth a look, and the epitome of 50's fun.