Swamp Thing (1982)

Although Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben's masterful reworking of the DC Comics Swamp Thing mythology didn't begin until after the film was completed, writer/director Wes Craven still had the original 1970s comic to work with. The moody tale of an outcast plant man, the book featured the broodingly beautiful artwork of horror mainstay Berni Wrightson. Instead of going for gothic atmosphere, however, Craven and company opt for a slightly campy riff on '50s horror matinees. The results are watchable enough, but they lack both the fiendish glee of Creepshow (another 1982 horror throwback starring Adrienne Barbeau) and the Grand Guignol power of the comic book. Arcane, the grotesque scientist villain of the comic, is transformed into a debonair millionaire arch-fiend, while Abigail, his put-upon niece, becomes ass-kicking government agent Alice Cable, who has no ties whatsoever to Arcane. The interplay between Barbeau's no-nonsense Cable and deadpan teen sidekick Jude (Reggie Batts) is a lot of fun, but the actual monster-mash elements of the film fall flat, thanks to cheap makeup effects. There's never any doubt that Swamp Thing is a guy in an ill-fitting rubber suit, and Craven doesn't do enough to transform such anachronisms from a liability into a strength. The tongue-in-cheek production design -- from knowingly cheesy wipes to gorgeous exteriors of the swamp itself -- looks great, especially on DVD, but as soon as the title character turns up, this is basically a hokey-looking nostalgia exercise. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide