Even though I always thought of Wes Craven as an overrated and vainglorious director, I did expect that he was capable of doing something more (and better) with the adaptation of the Swamp Thing comic book. Guess I'm still giving him too much credit! This was meant to be an adventurous horror-comedy but it isn't funny or scary and it definitely doesn't contain much adventure! It's hard to believe how dreadfully boring the screenplay is, especially considering the potential of the premise and the beauty of the filming locations. The titular creature is a peaceable being, mainly occupied with protecting his love-interest from the bad people that are after her. He himself got mutated into a hideous creature when these same villains broke into his lab to steal his groundbreaking formulas that turn plants into nourishment for the Third World. The only really good element about this production is the well-chosen cast, with a great Louis Jourdan as the nemesis who seems to come straight out of a James Bond movie and David Hess ("Last House on the Left") as the relentless and savage crook. Adrienne Barbeau also is a great choice for the female lead and she has a wonderful nude-bathing sequence in the swamp (I thought that was worth mentioning!). The make-up effects are pretty weak and the last half hour is a giant mess. "Swamp Thing" is not worth your time.
Review of Swamp Thing
