Swamp Thing (1982)

There's something about lesser-known comic book characters when it comes to being adapted to film. For odd reasons they don't receive as much critical or financial success. Yet it has been proved that these characters can become popular if done right. An example of this is James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). Heck nobody even knew they were a Marvel property until the studio announced they were being put to the big screen. This only shows that the right people have to be involved with how the production is conceived and executed. The antithesis of that example is Man-Thing (2005), also produced by Marvel but in no way taken care of in the same manner. Like the character of Man-Thing, DC also had their version called Swamp Thing, which received its rendition way before Man-Thing's film was even thought of. But being that it was the second DC character to be portrayed on the big screen, one would think it would have done as well as Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980) for being new and different.Instead, the film went underground and gained a cult following. It's not that it was bad but it certainly was not written anywhere near the same depth as Superman (1978) and its sequel. The story follows Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) who meets Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise) in a new discovery where plant cells can be fused with animal cells in a solution. To Holland's dismay greedy man Dr. Arcane (Louis Jourdan) wants his findings for himself and destroys his lab. Attempting to escape, Dr. Holland accidentally collides with his experimental solution and mixes in with his swampy surroundings. This leads to him becoming Swamp Thing, a creature with super strength, regeneration and healing powers. Written and directed by indie horror fanatic Wes Craven, thankfully this feature does entertain on some level. It is surprising though that Wes Craven works with such a toned down picture. The violence is nothing compared to his works before like the dreaded The Last House on the Left (1972) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977).The cast of characters isn't extremely unique but they do portray the proper emotion and do have their own personality. Ray Wise makes Dr. Holland sound very intelligent yet not bookworm-ish enough to be a total geek. Adrienne Barbeau as Cable is charismatic and even demonstrates some tough behavior, which is always encouraged for most female lead characters. Cable also meets a funny kid named Jude (Reggie Batts – which is his only film credit). It's weird how this actor didn't continue because he had some comical lines throughout the film. Playing the Swamp Thing character was Dick Durock and for the 1980s, his look is close to that of the comic. The only actor who isn't the most interesting is Louis Jourdan as Dr. Arcane. Besides being a jerk for his selfish reasons there really isn't much of a personality behind the character. I'll admit his voice is a bit captivating though.Aside from acting, the writing does miss in one particular area. This belongs to Swamp Thing's powers. The strength boost is explained, but how he knew what makes him regenerate and healing others is left unchecked. All Craven needed to do was add in one scene that shows how Swamp Thing discovered these abilities and that would at least cover half the problem. Sadly, the powers are just thrown in for the scenes that needed it. The ability is different but there's no development to how it came about. Also the middle section to the movie does drag because of a long-winded chase scene. Unfortunately adding to that are some standard action sequences. Most of the events that happen are very 80s era type tropes. That's not to say all of it is, but most and because of the rather underwhelming action, the pace of it slows. No reason to be too concerned though, that's it for the big issues. The visual style of the film is something to behold though.One of the most interesting visual techniques used is the transition editing by Richard Bracken. Not every change between scenes is different or the greatest looking but a number of scene changes involve comic book like transitions, which really help solidify the feeling like the viewer is watching a comic book movie. As stated for Dick Durock's Swamp Thing portrayal, the practical and special effects are dated in some areas but are also something to admire for at least having the ambition. One note being that the solution Dr. Holland develops has the same color and glow to that of the serum Dr. West would use in Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator (1985). Robbie Greenberg's cinematography looks great too with wide shots of the swamp with plenty of sunlight and color. Lastly is composer Harry Manfredini's score. Unfortunately, due to him working consistently on the Friday the 13th (1980) franchise years prior, much of his music sounds reminiscent to that of those scores. That means tinkering keys and blaring horns for the tense moments. However, there is one musical cue that makes it worth while and that is the love theme for Cable and Alec. The theme uses a clarinet and harp and the tune is completely memorable. If it weren't for that, Manfredini's score would be considered unoriginal.DC's second original comic book movie isn't as smartly written and doesn't have the massive action spectacle to that of Richard Donner's Superman (1978) but it is still highly watchable. The leads can act, the music works, the effects are decent and Swamp Thing as a character is unique all by itself.

Swamp thing is a comic book film with the audacity to flaunt it's low budget and depend on the character elements of the film, well executed action sequences, scenery and a vibrant score which luckily saves a lot of money and provides for and entertaining gem of a film. Louise Jordan is a wonderful villain, his work is on par with his later appearance as a 007 villain in octopussy. Adriene Barbeaux oozes sexuality, without sacrificing toughness which is rare. Something disappeared after the 1980's with regard to women in action thrillers. The toughness seems manufactured as opposed to genuine. The sexual attractiveness remains, but rather than asserting themselves through intelligence, many of the female heroes of todays films seem to display a snobbish sort of entitlement, almost as if a lawyer was waiting to swoop down and file a law suite, if the film's villains dare to detract from their toughness. There is none of that here, she seems smart, tough and sexy which is rare. As for the storyline, it is what it is, not a whole lot of surprises, but that's o.k. It's a comic book, not War and Peace. Swamp Thing is an overlooked and under-rated movie that deserves a look from fans of the genre, and yound people fascinated with comics especially.

Usually when I write a review, I try to make it as professional as possible. But when it comes to Adrienne Barbeau, all decorum goes out the window, and I reach for the drool bucket.Purists will tell you that SWAMP THING is based on a DC comic, it's about a scientist who accidentally gets a potent chemical spilled on him and he becomes the title character, etc., etc. But look at the cover photo for this movie. Is the Swamp Thing the first thing your eyes are drawn to? Admittedly, the movie is kind of fun on its own terms. It's rated PG, so the violence and language isn't terribly off-putting. And the romance between Alice Cable (Barbeau) and the Swamp Thing is actually kind of sweet.But all that aside, writer-director Wes Craven realized that when you're shooting on a minimal budget, you go for whatever special effects you can muster. And in this case, he had the mother lode of natural special effects. In the pre-cable-TV 1970's, how many teenagers got through puberty via their weekly viewing of Adrienne Barbeau bouncing across the set on "Maude"? Lest you think I have lapsed into tastelessness, be warned that I am not the only one to ga-ga over La Barbeau. Twenty years after the movie's premiere, I still recall The Village Voice raving, "Adrienne sloshes through the swamp, arms flailing, wet T-shirted breasts bouncing." And Joe Bob Briggs devoted an entire evening to his comments about Adrienne's pneumatic qualities when he showed the movie on TNT.So let's cut to the chase. Adrienne spends most of the movie in tight-fitting T-shirts (wet whenever possible), a low-cut evening gown, and even, in a lingering but discreet shot (again, this is PG), topless.(If you're lucky enough to rent the European version, Barbeau's uncovered bosom is displayed on-screen for about a minute.) Her natural assets (and that includes her acting) have never been shown to such advantage in any movie since this one.So dads, rent the movie for your kids. It's harmless enough that they'll think it's mindless sci-fi. Only you will know the truth.

Swamp Thing (1982) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Wes Craven's adaptation of the DC Comic isn't the greatest thing out there but I think there are enough campy moments to make it worth sitting through. Dr. Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan) is in the swamp trying to come up with a new chemical that would help vegetation grow when his new assistant (Adrienne Barbeau) arrives. The doctor comes under attack from a group wanting the formula and he's turned into the title character who must fight for the assistant he has fallen in love with. SWAMP THING was released with a thud but overtime I think people have somewhat warmed up to it. There's no question that the film falls short of being a "good movie" but considering what Craven had to work with I think it turned out okay. Craven has stated in interviews that he took the picture because he wanted to work with stars, the studio and with a budget. I can understand this but I think one of the problems with the picture is that there's really no look or style to it. I think Craven was so worried about creating a Hollywood picture that he really made a film that doesn't look like his and even worse is that the picture has a poor look to it. I think the action scenes are all poorly shot, executed and they've just got a cheap, fake look to them. I thought they were all poorly staged and there's just not any excitement or energy to them. Another problem is the music score by Harry Manfredini. Each time I hear a score from him after Friday THE 13TH it's a copy of that film's score. The borrowed cues from that just don't work well with this picture and it just sounds like it should be for a different movie. The performances are pretty good with Jourdan and Barbeau both doing fine work and their chemistry together works well. It was fun seeing David Hess with Craven and Nicholas Worth makes for a good villain. I did think the locations were good, the costume was cheap but effective and there's no question that the film has its own charm that comes from some of the campy moments. I think SWAMP THING could benefit from a remake but this film here holds up fairly well as a piece of 80s silly action.