Humanoids From the Deep (1980)

This New World Pictures quickie essentially updates Creature From the Black Lagoon to fit 1980s standards of sex and violence. Humanoids From the Deep isn't a good choice for sensitive viewers because it is never passes up an opportunity for its mutated fish-men to rip apart (or molest) unwitting victims on camera. However, the story is so absurd in a comic-book manner that it never becomes serious enough to be truly offensive. Humanoids From the Deep also benefits from skillful work on both sides of the camera. Director Barbara Peters maintains a rapid-fire pace throughout that keeps the film from devolving into campiness and Doug McClure and Vic Morrow give solid, dignified performances that keep the viewer involved in the strange story line. The film is also blessed with surprisingly high-quality makeup effects by Rob Bottin and a nice orchestral score by a pre-Titanic James Horner. Ultimately, a viewer's feelings about Humanoids From the Deep will depend on their tolerance for low-budget sleaze, but it does offer up a tasty morsel of cinematic junk food for exploitation film addicts. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide