Rating: 
Summary: Decent horror fun
Review: I saw this film for the first time on AMC's 2000 Monsterfest. The DVD case bears no resemblance to any scenes in the shot, but that doesn't really matter. The films stars Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, and the forgotten Ben Chapman as the monster. Like Frankenstein's creaton, the creature has no name. This film is the ideal horror film.
With the discovery of a fossil in the Amazon, David (Carlson) and Kay (Adams) along with their greedy boss Mark Williams embark on a scientific expedition for fossils of a prehistoric past. After finding nothing in the original site, the scientists discover a lagoon known as the Black Lagoon at the end of the river. The lagoon is home to the last surviving descendant of the race from which the fossil comes from. The creature, a "gillman" witnesses Kay swimming in his home, and falls in love with the beautiful swimmer. Mark and David, after discovering the creature, are caught in two struggles. David wants only to research the creature in it's natural surroundings; Mark is in favor of killing it. David and Kay are romantically involved, but Mark gets in the way. The creature, adding a fourth side to the typical love triangle, kills Mark and manages to capture Kay after several attempts. David attempts a rescue, and the film moves toward the final fight.
The creature make-up was primitive to say the least; Ben Chapman had no way of expressing emotion, and make-up would remain like this until Planet of the Apes in 1968. But overall, this is a most wonderful horror/sci-fi film, another masterpeice by Universal Studios.
Rating: 
Summary: TIMELESS HORROR
Review: ...I used to love movies like "Rebecca", "The Pit and the Pendulum", and "Return of the Mummy". They became part of our weekend ritual. As a child, in NY...they were part of the 1:00 Monster Movie Matinee every Sunday. "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" was always my favorite. I still recall with fright the scene where the "beautiful girl" (names never mattered back then) swam in the black lagoon. The camera panned to a shot of her swimming atop the water and the creature swimming just beneath her. I just rented this movie again and I am convinced the movie can still fright someone of any age. I was grinding my teeth all these years later, while watching the underwater scenes. It still gives me goosebumps! Most people who collect movies like this are die-hard fans of these old classics. I think they hold a certain charm, innocently being the 'fathers' of special effects that would lead future movie-makers in their own frightening success. Nothing compares to this genre of movie making-pretty girls carried of by bad entities with a little romance thrown in. It can hold it's own bravely in a sometimes forgotten genre. If you can try hard to look past the old, ridiculous stereotypes, you'll quickly become a fan of these wonderful "creepies". They are special reminders to me of days long past and I hope they become special to newcomers as well.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This film has been one of my favorites since i was a child and the DVD is just beautiful. Universal did a marvelous job on this film and the interview with Julie Adams is a real treat. This is movie stands alone although its one of the famous Universal Monsters. To me its more sci-fi than horror but no matter what you call it The Creature is worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: One of Universal's Best
Review: After the 1940s, Universal seemed washed up as a horror studio. And then Orson Welles-protege William Alland joined the company to produce some real gems including this 1954 black and white beauty. The story might be a knock-off of "King Kong" (check out the accompanying 'bonus' feature documentary), but it more than stands on its own two (webbed) feet as a classic of the genre. The cast is superb, astonishing even: Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denney, Whit Bissell and the great Nestor Paiva definitively prove that character actors can carry a picture when they are this good. The creature looks a little hokey, but the underwater scenes especially hold up as very classy. Unlike some other Universal DVDs, this also boasts a very impressive line-up of bonus features. A definite must-buy!
Rating:
Summary: "Beauty and the Beast" in the Black Lagoon
Review: "Beauty and the Beast" in the Black Lagoon. When the Creature (Ricou Browning) first sees the beautiful scientist Kay (Julie Adams) swimming in his lagoon, it's love at first sight. Eventually he is compelled to abduct Kay and take her to his underwater cavern - much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, marine biologist David Reed (Richard Carlson). Soon Man and Beast engage in a to-the-death duel for Beauty's hand. Who will be the victor? Watch this 1954 classic--by far the best in Universal's three-part "Creature" film series--to find out.
Rating:
Summary: Last of the Classic Monsters.
Review: The rest of the group being King Kong, Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and the Wolfman. I'd rate this at 4 1/2 stars if I could, just a notch below the others, mostly because it presents essentially a take on King Kong rather than an entirely new theme. In other respects, especially the great atmospheric cinematography, it's right up there. Note to fans of Julie Adams: her best other movie is the very good 1952 Jimmy Stewart Western "Bend of the River". (Yes, she looks great not swimming too.)
Rating:
Summary: Classic Monster Movie!
Review: I must first say that I was a bit apprehensive before wathcing this movie. The cover looked quite bad and the costume not all that well made. However, to my surprise it was probably one of the better monster movies that I had ever seen. Unlike many modern moives that seem totally and sometimes solely focused on the special effects; this movie in question, i.e., Creature from the Black Lagoon VHS ~ Richard Carlson, relies heavily on the plot and the interaction between the cast. Julia Adams is quite pretty and it would not have hurt to show a bit more flesh. However, during the time of the movie there were sever limits on how much flesh could be shown on the white screen. Overall though I would end by saying that it is definetely a classic and that I would noyt hesitate to view it again. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The Creature From The Black Lagoon
Review: Now here's the movie Dracula's match. This was good because, well, just the action and stuff. It didn't take any work to make this movie good. It was good from the first scene. I've liked it so much I get it and Dracula every weekend. This is one that fans can't (and I mean it like the galaxy) that you have to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Monster Classic that swam all the way to the bank!
Review: Despite its' Johnny-Come-Lately status of the previous Horror classics made by Universal, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, released in 1954, originally in 3D theatrically ushered in a new era of Horror/Sci-Fi classics to come. With the success of JAWS and the Loch Ness Monster rumors still several years in the making, this chiller gave audiences plenty of reasons already to stay of the water. Similar to what PSYCHO did with taking showers! I think the film would have been a real treat to see in original 3D vision, but it is still as good without it. Plotwise, scientists are en route to the Amazon in search of missing fossils, and soon, as members are mysteriously killed off, discover the tributary is guarded by a deadly half-man/half-fish creature. Soon it becomes a question of survival. DVD contains a fascinating documentary "Back to the Black Lagoon" hosted by David J. Skal, and the film commentary by Tom Weaver is also guaranteed not to disappoint. A real classic of the genre!
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD
Review: Since other viewers have already written about the story idea and where this film stands up on the black and white 50's sci-fi/monster ladder, I will limit my remarks to the DVD itself. If you are indeed a 50's sci-fi/monster movie fan, you must get this film on DVD. Not only will you get to own the film but you get some extras. You get an excellent narrated run-thru of the film with particular areas of interest and errors pointed out. You get many side stories on the making of the film and the people therein. Other films of this genre are also given coverage. There is also a "Back to the Lagoon" featurette where other stories are told and interviews with surviving actors and technicians are presented. The highlight of this featurette for me, was the interview with beautiful actress Julie Adams. After some 45 plus years since starring in the film, father time has been very very kind to this still, very beautiful lady. The extras presented on the DVD make it well worth the money.
|
