The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Film Title: The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Genre: Adventure / Horror / Sci-Fi /Suspense

Director: Jack Arnold

Two Most Important Member of the Cast: Kay Lawrence (Julie Adams) and Antonio Moreno (Dr. Carl Maia)

Review

[1]Richard Scheib (1990) writes in his review that the Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) is an attempt to tap the success of The Beast from 20, 000 Fathoms (1953). Like The Beast, the Creature eschews the idea of a giant-size monster. It also brings the monster down to the human-size. This is a wise move since it allows the film to have its cake eaten without the need for costly stop-motion animation effects. Further, at its heart, the movie is just another variant on the Frankenstein and Mummy films that were Universal bread-and-butter genre output in the previous decade. Arnold pits human beings in a metaphorical relationship with landscape throughout the film. Here, the humanity is constantly seen as a stranger in landscapes that resonate with the vastness of geological time. Although the film's modest budget and locations that never venture beyond the studio prevent this from being all it could be, the mystery of the Amazon and alienness of the underwater environment are well conveyed here.

[2]In addition, the cinematography is striking in its imagery. The scenes are particularly beautiful because the work in underwater photography made it possible to really follow along with the action under the water. Similarly, the score is perhaps one of the most recognizable in monster movie history. Correspondingly, the scientist becomes the hero in the tale unlike earlier monster movies. He becomes guardian of the lagoon instead of some megalomaniacal quest for power or prestige. This gives the film a refreshing quality and perhaps this is the reason why it has become a classic. [3]The aquatic aerobics conducted by Julia Adams where the unseen Creature mimics beneath the surface, finally daring to reach up and touch her is one particular good scene because Arnold crafts the scene as a graceful ballet and one that contains an undeniable underlying eroticism. In another striking shot Arnold follows a cigarette Adams idly tosses overboard down into the water past the eyes of the watching Creature.

[4]Sadly, even if Creature from the Black Lagoon is a great classic, it is not perfect. The concept of the missing link falling for a sun-core hot human woman is a little creepy and it has been done before. Further, the characters occasionally feel stock. In spite of Kay’s primary formidable presence, she is most commonly there to fill the role of damsel in misery. In addition, the men never seem to truly feel like they are in danger. They often come off as if they're discussing the latest from the old Wall Street Ticker.

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[1] Scheib, R. (1990). The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.moria.co.nz

[2] Short, N. (2000, August 23). Review of Creature from the Black Lagoon. DVD Verdict. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.dvdverdict.com

[3] Scheib, R. (1990). The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.moria.co.nz

[4] Internet. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.worldsgreatestcritic.com