Swamp Thing (1982)

Director: Wes Craven

Starring: Ray Wise, Adrienne Barbeau, Louis Jourdan

After a violent incident with a special chemical, a research scientist is turned into a swamp plant monster.

Before gaining fame for ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, Wes Craven did another monster movie: ‘Swamp Thing’. I must admit, this is not his best work, but then again this was one of Craven’s early films.

Adrienne Barbeau stars as Alice Cable, sent to assist a group of scientists. Ray Wise stars as Dr Holland, who combines animal and plant DNA to create a new species. Unfortunately, things go very wrong when a group of terrorists attack when Dr Holland is on the verge of a breakthrough. This attack results in Dr Holland becoming Swamp Thing.

The film offers loads of action and adventure, but if you compare it to ‘Predator’ released just five years later, you’ll realize it wasn’t all that well made. The effects are laughable by today’s standards. What was supposedly Swamp Thing’s flesh, was so clearly a suit, with gloves for hands. You can so clearly see it is material. The transition editing also makes the film look amateurish – almost like a slideshow.

‘Swamp Thing’ wasn’t all bad, though, and did deliver some good sequences. I recommend this ONLY if you’re a die hard Wes Craven fan, or a fan of the comics.

Would I watch it again? No.