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film summary
Second sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon
has scientists surgically transforming the Gill-Man
into an air-breather. Considered less classic than original.
Should still delight fans of campy '50s B-movies.
The creature is captured by a rich scientist who transforms
him into an air-breather. You know, I really can't help
but admire this movie in some ways; it really tries
to take a different direction than the other movies
of the series, there's more meat in the philosophical
discussions than you might expect, and the conversion
of the creature from a water animal to a land one puts
the creature in a position that what he really wants
(to return to the water) will kill him, which is an
interesting idea to play with. Unfortunately, it's hampered
by a few drawbacks. The direction is pretty uninspired
throughout; though John Sherwood had a long career as
a second unit director, this was one of only three movies
he actually helmed. Also, as much as I like Jeff Morrow,
he's playing a fairly difficult character here, and
I feel (IMHO) that it remained somewhat out of his range
as an actor. But the most disappointing part of the
movie is watching the sleek, lithe, classically designed
Creature transformed into the slow-moving, lumbering
and bulky land-walker; it's a little like seeing Fred
Astaire transformed into Tor Johnson, and though I like
Tor, I wouldn't pay to see him dance with Ginger Rogers.
There are certain pleasures here, and it is an interesting
movie to think about after it's all finished, but it's
one movie that really could have been a lot better.
At the climax, when the creature escapes & begins
throwing furniture around, you can clearly see the wires
attached to the pieces of furniture.
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