Creature (1985)

Even gives B-Movies a bad name

Low budget and low production values don't always equate to a bad movie. This time it does. It's not the cheap special effects or cinematography that gets this one down. It's the important stuff like scripting and execution that pulled this one down. If certain things were done differently this could actually have been a pretty good movie. Unfortunately that's not the case.

First and foremost flaw in this flounder of a film is how it was put together. Sure it has a rather clichéd plot, however there were some interesting aspects that could have been explored had the makers of this film put more thought in the script and structure. You have little things happening that lend very little to the overall plot yet take up all of your attention. Don't even get me started on the backstory of Creature, which also takes up your attention only to give absolutely nothing to the plot.

Low budget special effects can be forgiven to a certain degree. Things like laser and electricity blasts, spaceship models and set design can only go so far with a limited cash flow. Most of the special effects for this film aren't bad for its category. The glaring exception is the creature that this movie is named after. You would think that such a pivotal thing would have gotten better attention. The creature is laughable close up. Sure they did what they can and hide it in shadows for most of the film, but in the end once you see this thing you will roll on the floor laughing instead of having your heart filled with dread.

The acting I have no problem with. The actors did their roles as best they could with the limited scope. The characters themselves were bland and two-dimensional (when they have any dimension at all). Music is serviceable and the sound effects are mostly noises taken from other shows (a fun game to play could be Name-that-Special-Effect when watching). Of course the technical things aren't really painful to watch, but when you add that to the bad script and even worse monster it starts to add up.

Not much to see here folks. If you like bad B-movie style outer space monster flicks then this one is just par for the course. For the rest of you who prefer more substance you can steer clear of Creature without missing anything. Of course there is some camp value, but not as much as other films. Something could have been made out of this premise, but that didn't happen.
February 27, 2008

"I just want to go home"

Decent acting, decent script, appalling special effects. I'd have given this little gore fest two stars but for the graces of Klaus Kinski. I loved him here. From his interesting introduction in the film to his glorious ending. Ah well -- if only the rest of it kept pace with him.

OK, we have the ship landing and discovering a wreck. With the wreck are,say, zoo specimens. Since they've been there for a long time you'd think they'd all be dead. Not so. One of the little buggers gets out and begins to rip into the crew. Now there are a few really scary scenes and at least one that will make you shudder: the one where the man calls his mates and tells them all is well, come back, "I want to go home"....the call ends, his head turns and there's an alien leech thing sucking away at the side of his head. Creepy.

In a film of this sort I don't know what can be considered gratuitous when it comes to violence and gore. That is really what this movie is about. It's a horror movie about an alien infesting a crew. On the other hand, there is some really unnecessary nudity. A good looking girl (why is it NEVER a man?) tempts her boyfriend out by appearing completely nude. Why? Theyd been in love. He thought she was dead. ANY appearance by her would have resulted in the same actions by him.

The downfall of the film comes when you can really see the alien. Poorly done by a guy in a monster outfit, very disappointing. (I just saw WAR OF THE WORLDS again and totally admired it's three legged creepies. I wish the alien in CREATURE had been even a quarter as good.) Truly, among all the accusations of Alien ripoffs (and maybe it is) this is not a bad movie. The only thing that really kills it is this lousey monster.

Other than that, it's watchable. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon or snickering at Klaus' lack of respect for any kind of authority. October 23, 2006

THIS IS A TRUE 'B' CREATURE FEATURE -- SHAMELESS EXPLOITATION - GORE - NUDITY & SCARY AT TIMES TOO

IN A NUTSHELL: A 'B' CREATURE FEATURE THAT TRIES VERY HARD TO OVERCOME ITS OWN LACK OF ORIGINALITY

Yes, everyone who has seen this film or is considering viewing it now is familiar with the 'Alien' trilogy. Too bad, because this film would be a decent cheesy 'B' Creature-Feature if the 'Alien' franchise did NOT exist. Since 'Creature' is so reminiscent of 'Alien' a comparison is inevitable. In such a comparison the praise and box-office success that 'Alien' has enjoyed as well as its staying power over the years seems to be justified. Again, that in a way is too bad, because if 'Creature' was not so suggestive of 'Alien' it might be a success as a 'B' Creature-Feature. Recall, 'The Blob', with Steve McQueen, or 'Tremors' with Kevin Bacon. Neither of those films was original, in fact 'Tremors' was so similar to 'Jaws' that its original name was, 'Land Shark', but those films did manage to create an identity of their own and with it some film pathos. An identity and film pathos seems to be what is lacking in 'Creature'. After all, it does have scary moments and the long dramatic climax is rather suspenseful, but somehow a thrilling cinematic experience is never sustained long enough for this film to be memorable. Too bad, since I am a real sucker for this type of film, or rather the type of film that 'Creature' almost was.

William Malone, the Director, also Directed the 1999 remake of, 'The House On Haunted Hill', which gave him the chance to remake something without having to apologize for doing so. Malone also Directed 'The Incredible Hulk Returns', 1988, and 'Scared To Death', 1980.

A CAUTION TO PARENTS: NUDITY - GORE - VIOLENCE

There is some gratuitous gore and violence, plus some really gratuitous nudity, all of which precludes viewing by younger audiences. The nudity comes chiefly in just one scene, but it is rather extreme, and frivolous. I was grateful for the poor lighting during that scene.

-----> PRINCIPAL ACTORS <-----

Stan Ivar - Mike Davison
Wendy Schaal - Beth Sladen
Lyman Ward - David Perkins
Robert Jaffe - Jon Fennel
Annette McCarthy - Dr. Wendy H. Oliver
Diane Salinger - Melanie Bryce
Klaus Kinski - Hans Rudy Hofner
John Stinson - Astronaut #1
Michael Griswold - Concord Technician #2
Marie Laurin - Susan Delambre

-----> PRODUCTION CREW <-----

William Malone - Director / Producer / Screenwriter
William J. Dunn - Producer
Alan Reed - Screenwriter
Harry Mathias - Cinematographer
Tom Chase - Composer (Music Score)
Steve Rucker - Composer (Music Score)
Bette Cohen - Editor
Michael Novotny - Production Designer
Bob Skotak - Production Designer
Trevor Bloch - Art Director
Steven Nelson - Art Director
Mike Novatny - Art Director
Doug Beswick - Costume Designer
L.A. Effects Group - Special Effects
Robert Short - Special Effects

BOTTOM LINE: NOT A TERRIBLE FILM THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MOST VIEWERS

If you want to see this film, you can get it on DVD with 2 other films, 'Snow Beast' and 'Track Of The Moon Beast'. The exact title is 'Classic Creature Movies II (Creature / Track Of The Moon Beast / Snowbeast)' and currently it sells for $5.98 direct from Amazon or from $3.43 via numerous Amazon sellers.




October 18, 2006

Really 2 Stars but Like Someone Else Stated, a Good Alien Rip-Off.

Not Horribe; actually watchable on a night when you don't feel like going out and don't want to see a good sci fi movie, but something with some not too good effects so you can laugh. And what about Bryce (Diane Sallinger), it would have been good to see her character in a different movie. May 30, 2006

I still like it

I saw this movie as a kid and it scared me.After a while of leaving it in my basement(I have it on VHS) I brought it up with a bunch of other movies and decided to watch them again.Like Planet Of The Dinosaurs it didn't completely smash my memories.It's pretty serviceable as a movie and yes I know people say it's an Alien clone but I(for some reason) have never seen alien nor do I particularly want to.This movie is good though and it still make's me shut up about how bad the acting is or "omg that is so a toy" when something scary happens(that's my failsafe for scary movie's) and actually get into it.The camera angle's sometime's hit something for me as do the character's.They just fit so perfectly into the atmosphere.A good movie still make's you cry,laugh,shiver,freak out or get behind your mama's skirt even though you know EXACLTY what's going to happen and this movie still has part's like that for me.For under five buck's and on dvd get this just to either watch or force your friend's to watch.^^ March 28, 2006

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