Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.
Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.
This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the movie.
That said, on to the review!
In May of 1998, Peter Benchley released a new, deadly terror on his fans. So monstrous was this, ah, monstrosity that it dominated ABC network's primetime slot on not only the night of Sunday, May 17, but Monday night as well in a two-part, four hour miniseries.
Movie and television adaptations of Benchley's works are not new. The best known of these is probably Jaws--it spawned three sequels--where huge, great white sharks wreaked their own brand of havoc on Amity. Beast carried on the tradition with two Architeuthis dux, or giant squid, that took up residence near a coastal town. Now, however, the danger has moved from the ocean to the shore with Creature, an adaptation--or so I assume--of his novel, White Shark.
During the 1970s Shark's Tooth Island played home to a United States naval research station. Here the U.S. government worked at creating the Tursiops carcharias: a hybrid of sharks and dolphins. One scientist, however, tried to go a step farther...with terrifying consequences. What is worse than a trainable killer, which is what the T. carcharias were? How about a trainable killer that learns and thinks and can innovate? One of the surviving scientists managed to contain it in a steel cage and let it sink beneath the sea.
Marine biologist Simon Chase, played by Craig T. Nelson, purchased Shark's Tooth Island and inherited its terrible legacy. He's there to study the sharks living nearby, searching for a cure for cancer: an affliction sharks seem immune to. He confronts everyone on a neighboring island with his obsession, alienating some of the local fishermen and charter captains. Things come to a head when a pregnant great white takes up residence and Chase doesn't tell anyone. Then two people die in what appears to be shark attacks and it's open season on great whites.
Chase and his ex-wife, Amanda Macy (Kim Cattrall) soon discover that there's something very strange about the "shark" stalking the waters...especially when something big attacks and kills the great white. What kind of fish has claws? What kind of shark has teeth with roots? What kind of creature can take lobster traps apart by loosening the screws? Everything points to an abberation that shouldn't have arisen, but what can they do about it?
Chase, Amanda, and their son, Max (Matthew Thomas Carey), soon discover the truth buried in the tunnels beneath Chase's island and in the mind of the town's resident crazy man, Werewolf (played by Giancarlo Esposito). They explore the catacombs, then flee in terror when the creature appears. It tries to follow them up onto land, but starts to suffocate. Then something happens, and nowhere is safe after that.
I had seen the promotionals for the movie for quite a while, and looked forward to seeing the movie. I'll say this: I was impressed. I had read White Shark when it first came out in paperback and immediately made the connection. There were drastic changes between the novel and the movie, but I think the end result was worth it. Creature stands out on its own merit, and is definitely worth seeing. The only comment I have is how...callously Dr. Macy is when she does what she does towards the end (I'm not about to ruin the story for you). Maybe it's because I like animals so much that this particular scene troubled me.
There's no telling when, if ever, ABC will air Creature again, or if it will come out on video tape...although I've heard that the AT&T presentation of Moby Dick on USA network may be forthcoming on video. If I ever hear tell that it will rebroadcast or come out on video, I'll mention it. In the meantime, I'd suggest reading White Shark. It's not the same, but I'm sure you'll find it interesting nonetheless. If you want to know more about the book, then go to my special review of it.
Interested in buying this video? Unfortunately, it isn't available for general release. But check back now and again, that might change! You can also visit the Stellar Video Store for other titles.
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