CHOMPFEST 2024

After the incredible success of the Steven Spielberg’s Jaws [1975] the animals attack (aka: nature’s revenge/environmental horror) began appearing in every facet all for the b-movie market where low budgets reigned supreme and so bizarre storylines were in abundance. There was no shortage of films even if one limits themselves to the sea-fearing ones, Tentacles [1977], Orca [1977], Piranha [1978] and Killer Fish [1979] so there is plenty of more for others to consider. Hence, Charles B. Griffith (Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype [1980]), who was a screenwriter and long-time associate of the legendary Roger Corman who did several scripts for example included Attack of the Crab Monsters [1957], this time the production was riddled with issues and tattered final feature, which was an incredible bad shark flick. While Charles aimed for a comedic-horror movie, with help from writers Alfred M. Sweeney and Anne Dyer, using the Philippines as a backdrop for Hawaii because it could easily fool audiences it had cheap wages and no unions. Roger upon receiving the film, quickly had all comedy removed and made it into a straightforward horror film with a few reshoots to hammer the rough spots; much to the dissatisfaction of Griffith. In the end the title was even changed, to Up from the Depths to Up from the Last Run although the previous sounded much more mysterious and often on a double-billed with The Brood [1979].

ah the greatest underwater footage

Rising from the depths of the ocean floor due to an earthquake comes a new predator, who has a hunger for primarily visitors to the Hawaiian island of Maui, the first off screen kill is Doctor Whiting (Charles Howerton), research assistant then it’s a quick cut back to the resort. Meanwhile Forbes (Kedric Wolfe) the resort manager and awkward one that is forced to contend with con-artists Greg (Sam Bottoms (Hunter’s Blood [1986])) and Greg’s uncle Earl (Virgil Frye (Graduation’s Day [1981])) who are out to fleece his wealthy guests and make the gullible idiots. Unbeknownst to Forbes, Greg is carrying-on a secret relationship with the Rachel (Susanne Reed) the promotional manager. Forbes continues to ignore the sudden vacancies of his hotel guests among them is Holland (Ken Metcalf (Beast of the Yellow Night [1971])), who don’t seem to return from their ocean excursions; but if it doesn’t happen on the resort grounds not his worry.

Susanne Reed wondering what kind of film is this

The audience by this point is groaning for lack of any interest to entertain themselves through the misery on screen. Whiting wants to study the killer fish just like most other doctors and scientists in these flicks. Halfway through the third act it goes nuts not in a good way the creature attacks only in the water but everyone at a luau runs in sheer panic with a couple of folks embracing each other which makes no sense, the shark does go on land. The next day Forbes gives an awe-inspiring Winston Churchill like speech about standing up to the creature the reward is $1,000 and an all-inclusive week long stay at the hotel, oh wow the sheer lunacy of how these folks are going to fight, soon enough every yahoo on the resort is marching about with rifles and two dingbats are walking backward from their room to the beach in full scuba gear, I can’t make this sh!t up. One individual uses a samurai sword and sunglasses hacking his way through shrubbery on his way to canoe stuck between rocks; but seriously look for the cool cameo from R. Lee Ermey (Body Snatchers [1993]). It really doesn’t matter to figure out the of cast characters as they are duds in their performances, and it’s clear who the heroes will be at the end especially with a finish that is very similar to Jaws.

R. Lee Ermey

First, the plot is tissue paper thin this does not help the cast of characters mainly due to the fact there is no development, and none even remotely resemble the normal human emotional responses to a crisis. Nothing that makes the audience care about any of them, and to a viewer if this is absent then attention to watch is going to vanish quickly, it’s not necessary the actors rather the dialogue is bizarre, and the scene set-ups are equally weak. Especially, a news reporter who does nothing to contribute to the storyline a common trait as previously noted the introduction of characters is random and without any foundation for their inclusion, clearly portions of the comedy cuts eliminating the role’s necessity. Due a bottom barrel budget the special effects were horrendous all thanks to the bizarrely odd appearing prehistoric shark (not given any scientific analysis) which include big fat fish lips bulging eyes and a dual dorsal fin, this aided by terrible underwater footage showing clouds of ‘blood’ to represent the attack. A few times depending on the print one sees is the wire that visible when pulling the so-called creature at least it was not as blatant as that is The Tingler [1959]. Simply, the film lacks proper pacing and Griffith never evolves the story to build any tension, though does take cues from Jaws and the John Williams theme (listen closely). He does include one slight comedic gag at the expense of Sam Bottoms first appearing in the opening credits on top of two hula dancers gyrating their torsos, as if a wink to the camera for subtle exploitation.

the shark monster thingy

Now according to the IMDb website, the film is a remake of previous movies and equally remade which is simply not true unless one is redefining the terminology of remake/remade. Therefore, please keep that in mind if you decide to follow those films, nevertheless there is one film which more clearly is an unofficial remake and that Dinoshark [2010] which stars and produce by Roger Corman.

I simply can’t recommend this film to any horror fan, it is not one of the worst, but it is the running, the movie lacks in so many departments that there is not one ounce of thrills or frights, and aside from that it lacks that classic shark bite. Corman had the problem in trying to salvage the film in the third act especially with the goofy panic scene and overcome the awkward performances of everyone involved.

TAGLINE:

• Your vacation is about to end!!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080066/

IMDb Rating: 3.3/10

Baron’s Rating: 2.8/10

Followed by:

Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980)

Remade as:

Demon of Paradise (1987)

Remake of:

Naked Paradise (1957)

Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961)