Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

The creature from the black lagoon was a great movie. Judging by the fact that it was made in 1954 the film is holding up and became a classic. What impressed me the most is that some of the scenes were shot underwater with heavyduty cameras, and the person in the costume of the creature did not had an oxygen tank, talking about dedication. It had unique and impressive story and monster. The one thing that didnt really go with the atmosphere was the music wich could had been better but overall was ok

***Spoilers***One of the most famous of the old school man in a rubber suit 1950s classics, but you know what? It's always been mismarketed.CFTBL wasn't the story of some horrible amphibious jungle creature terrorizing a group of scientists out on a boat leching over a token very busy and completely worthless pretty girl.Instead, this was the story of a group of violent bullies invading some shy creature's living space, harassing it, attacking it, shooting it with a spear gun by way of greeting, drugging it repeatedly, kidnapping it, and then getting all huffy when it tries to retaliate. I mean sure, it killed a couple of native guides early in the movie, but as any student of history or movies will tell you that's just what you did back then with indigenous extras.But after that? A pretty one sided bit of Earth bound Captain Kirking. I think the poor thing finally decided to just take the girl and leave because she was the only one who hadn't physically assaulted it by the end of the film. And so our roving gang of science thugs then conduct a home invasion and mug the creature in it's own living room. The poor thing should seriously lawyer up and seek reparations.

"Creature from the Black Lagoon" contains the last of the classic monster characters by "Universal" or "Universal International" as they were then known. There are some genuinely tense moments in this film. Picture yourself enjoying a leisurely swim somewhere but you are unaware of a large, fish- like creature that is swimming right underneath you! That is nearly as frightening a prospect as having a shark in close proximity.... "Creature from the Black Lagoon" made a smart decision in keeping the plot a streamlined one. There are no irritating subplots, just the story of a party of people who are being menaced by the monster character of the Gill Man. The following facts come as no surprise: That the film was a box office success and that two sequels followed. The other two films are worth watching but this opening one is vastly superior.

It is very many years since I last saw this film and I found myself braced for a slow and murky ride. Not so, at all and watching this on the big screen at my local cinema watched in wonder as all those iconic shots I've seen reproduced over the years came to life in stunning black and white. There is some chit chat and faux philosophising but nothing like as much as I had feared and the well told tale is quickly under way. The underwater sequences are very well done and when the creature mirrors our heroine in the water it is truly magical. I was surprised how good the creature looked in and out of the water, especially those claws, cleverly foreshadowed by the historic find at the start. I'm sure many in my audience were ready and waiting (and for some insane reason) wanting to laugh loudly but they got little opportunity. Clearly in situations like this one has to allow for the time when a film was made but here the dialogue stood up well and chances for mockery very few and far between. Action from the start, a costume change for Julie seemingly every scene and excellent water scenes with a great creature.