In the year 2027, the Tri-Oceanic Corp. has undertaken an undersea mining operation. The company is mining silver at the bottom of the ocean. The CEO of the organization is Ms. Martin (Meg Foster). The head of the underwater operation is Steven Beck (Peter Weller). The crew consists of Dr, Glen “Doc” Thompson (Richard Crenna), Buzz “Sixpack” Parrish (Daniel Stern), Elizabeth “Willie” Williams (Amanda Pays), Tony DeJesus Rodero (Michael Carmine), G.P. Cobb (Hector Elizondo), Justin Jones (Ernie Hudson), and Bridget Bowman (Lisa Eilbacher).
The crew is in the last week of a three-month mission when Sixpack finds the remains of a Soviet ship called “Leviathan” at the bottom of an ocean crevasse. Inside he finds a safe which he brings back to the underwater facility. Inside are records detailing the deaths of several of the crewmen. Also among the records is a small flask which Sixpack pockets. Later he and Bowman partake in the flask’s contents. Not long after that Sixpack becomes ill and dies. Doc and Beck try to keep the death quiet so as not to alarm the other crew members. Then Bowman becomes ill. Finding SIxpack’s body she realizes that what happened to Sixpack is happening to her, Bowman commits suicide.
Beck wants to evacuate the mining operation but Ms. Martin tells him that there is a hurricane closing in and no rescue can be attempted at this time. When Sixpack’s and Bowman’s bodies merge together into one entity, trying to hide what is happening becomes irrelevant. The crew tries to eject the creature from the facility but a portion of the creature that gets severed from the main body manages to escape. As it begins to grow it hunts down the other crew members, absorbing them as it mutates further in a thirst for blood.
“Leviathan” was released in 1989 and was directed by George P. Cosmatos. It is a science fiction horror film.
As one of several underwater monster movies to come out of the late 80’s, it is often referred to as one of the many “Alien” 1997 rip-offs. I’m not sure why anyone does that, I see nothing wrong with an “Alien” rip-off if it is entertaining. Considering the cast, and the special effects done by Stan Winston, I’d say that this film qualifies as entertaining. In fact, the film takes elements from many horror films such as the look of the creature itself. The creature, a shape shifting genetic mutation with the characteristics of sea creatures combined with human DNA and played by Tom Woodruff Jr., is similar in style to the monster from “The Thing” 1982.
Considering all the good parts about the movie, I’m surprised it got as trashed as it did. The cast was good, as was the acting and even the dialogue. The monster was great, although fleeting. The story may take its core from other claustrophobic underwater rubber monster movies but it was still enjoyable itself.
There are a few plot holes, but they can easily be ignored when you’re watching a writhing creature with the faces of everyone it devoured. I’d consider it a really good “B” movie.