Reviews

Still enjoyable 30 years later! Good script and clean camera work. The reggae musical score fillers work well for the set location (Las Playas So Cal). The entire cast led by Sheen and Estevez are convincing with great chemistry and comedic timing. Leslie Hope is domineeringly sexy as Sheen's love interest girlfriend (Susan). Darrell Larson's dead man scenes of "iced" politician (Jack Burger) are humorously clever. Keith David's (Louis) command as an intimidating yet funny, intelligent and unexpectedly loyal "crazed combat veteran" is memorable. John Getz cartoon approach to his role as duplicitous doofus villain (Maxwell Potterdam III) works. You will laugh out loud at some of the best hijinks of the 90s including: rival garbage men duo setting booby traps, a pizza delivery man held hostage with a pellet gun, mafia hitmen nincompoops, and rival police being humiliated. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

From the first scene we are taken aboard a period British Navy ship with all the trimmings and into an ocean going game of cat and mouse with the French (Acheron ship). The realism and detail(s) of the vessel(s) is spectacular and noteworthy. Crowe owns the role as Captain and is well served by several supporting cast members (crew) Bettany (doctor) and youthful mid shipmen who are mature beyond their years, competent and likable. The hard life of the sailor during the period is portrayed as well as the glory of battle. Set design and costuming are damn near flawless. The story unfolds with enough twists, turns and suspense to keep things interesting. Violin quartet scenes are tastefully memorable (spoiler). This is some of Crowes finest acting (that I am aware of). Excellent film that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The poor script causes an otherwise talented cast to become awkwardly miscast. The sexy female crew scientists have no place in an underwater expedition, but add a sexual tension that sorta works for straight male viewers. The sea monster mutation part human, part snake, part fish physical features are confusing, until the very end. Once revealed the monster disappoints when compared to legendary movie monsters (Godzilla, Alien, Predator, etc). Leviathan is not in the same league as comparisons to Abyss, Alien and theFly. But it rips enough off in terms of set design, effects, suspense, score and decent acting to make it interesting and entertaining.