The one thing any good horror creature feature needs is a monster that has the ability to evoke terror from its audience. If it can't do that, then you simply don't have a creature feature worth watching. Now, with Man-Thing, we have a walking pile of swamp gas, leaves, moss, and branches. It doesn't matter how red this things eyes get or how many people it rips apart. The entire thing is laughable, and that's probably why the full reveal is held off until the final half hour.
It's not just a movie either. Man-Thing is based off an obscure Marvel comic. It was originally intended for theatrical release, but it's like that the two die-hard fans would revolt at Lions Gate studios when they learn that their leafy Swamp Thing rip-off has been turned from a defender of the good into a marauding beast defending his rather disgusting home turf.
Production values are a little higher than you expect from your typical Sci-Fi Channel fare. That likely stems from the proposed method of release and the fact that this is coming out on home video soon enough. There is some surprising direction here from Lawnmower Man director Brett Leonard. The use of color filters is dominant, giving the polluted area outside the swamp a murky brown shade, while the main set piece is doused in a rather drab green. Some rather eerie mood-setting shots do a nice job of telling you where the film is headed, though you'll probably figure that out pretty quick.
Most of the movie is carried by the usual round of uninteresting, generic townsfolk who always seem susceptible to this kind of problem. Of course, it's the newly appointed sheriff and his love interest taking over most of the screen time. His pessimistic deputy, the cruel, careless oil baron, and the usual hicks round everything off.
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Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
Sadly my tape crapped out and I missed the last 15 minutes, but I must admit, I was enjoying it. It was a fun b level flick.
2 - Dave Nalle
Too bad you missed the last 15 minutes, that's when all the decent CGI was used.
What annoyed me most about the movie was the lead actor's peculiar southern accent which occasionally disappeared and turned into what appeared to be his native Australian accent.
Dave
3 - Chris Beaumont
Yeah, it was a bit odd.
I think I may pick this disk up when it comes out...
4 - Patrick Smith
It's too bad that the screenwriter couldn't write a story based on the comic book.
It would really have been something to have the origin faithful to the book (other than the fact that his origin is similar to DC's Swamp Thing)
Also, Man-Thing was an empathic creature, he was drawn to emotional turmoil... and, it was a shame that nothing burned at Man-Thing's touch.. His best feature....