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DeepStar Six

DeepStar Six

List Price: $14.98
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not particularly impressive.
Review: Director: Sean S. Cunningham
Cast: Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, Greg Evigan, Miguel Ferrer, Matt McCoy, Nia Peeples, Cindy Pickett, Maruius Weyers.
Running Time: 103 minutes.
Rated R for violence, gore, and language.

"Deepstar Six" is an excellent example of how the 1979 classic "Alien" was a mistake in some ways--not because it was a poor film or that it was not well-made--but it set the standard so high for creature-features that anything that does not deliver such suspense, terror, and thrills is seen as a disappointment. This 1988 rehash is the same formula ad nausea and does not provide many scares or believable characters.

Far below the surface of the unforgiving sea, the crew of the Deepstar Six submarine are explorers in a world of darkness and unimaginable pressure. All they want is to get home safely and see their families. Their mission is to establish a top secret naval base on the ocean's floor, but an alien-esque creature is making that task not only difficult, but deadly. The special effects are fairly humorous, the performances of the has-been soap opera cast are only adequate, and the script is poor. Director Sean S. Cunningham ("Friday the 13th") saves this picture from being a laughing howl in the wind, using some unique camera angles and articulate cinematography, but unfortunately does not have the support or the screenplay to produce an effective horror film. Fans of the genre will be satisfied, but those looking for a stylish, scary monster movie should stick with "Aliens". The DVD does not provide many features except the standard scene selections and director commentary.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Deepstar Six (1988)
Review: Director: Sean S. Cunningham
Cast: Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, Greg Evigan, Miguel Ferrer, Matt McCoy, Nia Peeples, Cindy Pickett, Maruius Weyers.
Running Time: 103 minutes.
Rated R for violence, gore, and language.

"Deepstar Six" is an excellent example of how the 1979 classic "Alien" was a mistake in some ways--not because it was a poor film or that it was not well-made--but it set the standard so high for creature-features that anything that does not deliver such suspense, terror, and thrills is seen as a disappointment. This 1988 rehash is the same formula ad nausea and does not provide many scares or believable characters.

Far below the surface of the unforgiving sea, the crew of the Deepstar Six submarine are explorers in a world of darkness and unimaginable pressure. All they want is to get home safely and see their families. Their mission is to establish a top secret naval base on the ocean's floor, but an alien-esque creature is making that task not only difficult, but deadly. The special effects are fairly humorous, the performances of the has-been soap opera cast are only adequate, and the script is poor. Director Sean S. Cunningham ("Friday the 13th") saves this picture from being a laughing howl in the wind, using some unique camera angles and articulate cinematography, but unfortunately does not have the support or the screenplay to produce an effective horror film. Fans of the genre will be satisfied, but those looking for a stylish, scary monster movie should stick with "Aliens". The DVD does not provide many features except the standard scene selections and director commentary.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not particularly impressive.
Review: I mostly bought this film (in R2, though, since that release is in widescreen and with a commentary) because I liked "Leviathan" a lot, and the parallels between the two were obvious... unfortunately, "Deep Star..." proved quite inferior. It opened well enough and, for a while, actually managed to be atmospheric, suspenseful and convincing (even the low-budget sets and sub models looked realistic). Unfortunately, literally the minute the creature was shown (which happened surprisingly quickly, in a seen-it-coming-for-a-mile "shock" scene), the film tumbled down rapidly, turning into a dull, predictable schlock flick... rather like a slasher movie under the sea, albeit with a huge (and *very* cheap-looking) rubber crab (I'm not revealing any mystery here - the "identity" of the creature is even stated on the cover) instead of Sean Cunningham's most famous icon, Jason. It's a shame, really, since the film obviously had much potential... Anyway, keep in mind that the R1 release is much worse than R2, as it's in full screen and seems to lack the extras, such as the commentary. (In fact, the presence of those features and the low price of the R2 release are the reasons why I'm giving the film 4 stars instead of 3 or lower...)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Underated by far
Review: If you're looking for an old fashioned "Oh, crap, we woke up a monster!" movie with all the pluses, this is for you!
Excellent special effects and GREAT characterizations (Ferrar steals the show as the wimp you love to hate), it's well worth the price and the time you'll spend watching it.
The gore is limited, so it's great for a family night of popcorn with the teens, and much better than most would lead you to think.
The only downside is that it isn't in widescreen, but it's still a sleeper classic.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great midnite horror flick!
Review: It's a shame that "Deep Star Six" is out of print in the U.S. video mainstream; I'd purchase it in a second if it were! Sure, this sci-fi/horror film by "Friday the 13th" mastermind Sean E. Cunningham isn't Oscar-worthy material. However, "Deep Star Six" goes great with some Mountain Dew on a late Friday night! In 1989's infamous race for the ultimate underwater disaster movie, this one and "Leviathan" take the lead over the somber, melodramatic "The Abyss" (James Cameron's worst flick of all time). With a "TV-has-been" all-star cast, decent special FX, and an interesting near-future setting, "Deep Star Six" is definitely worth your viewing pleasure! Be sure to see Miguel Ferrer's decompression death scene (guess he couldn't keep cool under pressure...pun definitely intended)!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great midnite horror flick!
Review: It's a shame that "Deep Star Six" is out of print in the U.S. video mainstream; I'd purchase it in a second if it were! Sure, this sci-fi/horror film by "Friday the 13th" mastermind Sean E. Cunningham isn't Oscar-worthy material. However, "Deep Star Six" goes great with some Mountain Dew on a late Friday night! In 1989's infamous race for the ultimate underwater disaster movie, this one and "Leviathan" take the lead over the somber, melodramatic "The Abyss" (James Cameron's worst flick of all time). With a "TV-has-been" all-star cast, decent special FX, and an interesting near-future setting, "Deep Star Six" is definitely worth your viewing pleasure! Be sure to see Miguel Ferrer's decompression death scene (guess he couldn't keep cool under pressure...pun definitely intended)!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A decent undersea monster flick, but with ONE great scene.
Review: It's a solid rental, but don't buy it unless you're a fan of someone involved in the movie.

BTW, the ONE great scene is sadly spoiled on the movie poster and DVD cover....

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: This movie escaped, it was not released!
Review: OK, read the other reviews for the story synopsis and get the real rating here. I did give this movie 3 stars for effort. It just did not cut it. Basically a copy of 'Leviathan' without the suspense and budget. I thought the special effects were cheesy at best, The 'Bad Guy' a sorry excuse for a giant crustacean(lobster with big teeth) could have saved this had they used it a little more often. I don't know if Greg Evigan made this before or after 'BJ and the Bear' but he should have stuck with the monkey.
If you are a diehard Sci-fi nut like me, this is one you should see just once to say you have seen it...........................Happy Viewing

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: This movie escaped, it was not released!
Review: OK, read the other reviews for the story synopsis and get the real rating here. I did give this movie 3 stars for effort. It just did not cut it. Basically a copy of 'Leviathan' without the suspense and budget. I thought the special effects were cheesy at best, The 'Bad Guy' a sorry excuse for a giant crustacean(lobster with big teeth) could have saved this had they used it a little more often. I don't know if Greg Evigan made this before or after 'BJ and the Bear' but he should have stuck with the monkey.
If you are a diehard Sci-fi nut like me, this is one you should see just once to say you have seen it...........................Happy Viewing

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: H.R. Giger in the ocean?
Review: Some movies try to rip off another film with dignity. This sets right off telling you "Not all aliens come from space." Gee...what could THIS be a rip-off of?

The reviewer before me is pretty head-on about first impressions. I had high hopes for this movie first setting out - it had a good set-up, great sets, some good early suspense, and it looked to be an OK sci-fi film. Then they show you the "alien." Yes, they hold the suspense for a few good seconds before going, "Here ya go." Then the rest of the film is the alien killing off the crew bit by bit (which isn't terribly hard since twice they gang attack it IN THE WATER with WEAK WEAPONS). It then is killed by electrical shock in the water...only to come back a few minutes later as if nothing happened. *sigh* Don't you ever feel like so many monster films were inspired by that classic Holy Grail quote? You know, when John Cleese stammers: "I got better!"

The monster design I guess was OK. I mean, heck its huge and its a fish, what can we expect? It's unique looking, but since we see it full body from the very beginning it loses its scariness from the get-go. It coming back after - you know, dying - was also annoying and cliche.

If you're going to watch it, watch the first half hour or so. Once the monster's shown, just turn it off. You can probably guess who lives and who dies. And since the alien survival rate in movies is very low, you can probably guess what happens to our good friend Mister Guppy.


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