6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
Something horrendous is happening in the sleepy fishing village of Noyo. An aquaculture experiment has gone very wrong and the results-fish-like humanoids- are rising from the sea to spawn their vengeance.
Starring: Doug McClure, Ann Turkel, Vic Morrow, Cindy Weintraub, Lynn TheelHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
We have no idea how many there are.
Humanoids From the Deep is easily one of the most frustrating of all the Roger
Corman-produced New World Pictures films. Here's a movie with no rhythm, little focus, a mangled
plot, a
haphazard script, inconsequential characters, and a terrible climax. Corman's pictures aren't
exactly beacons of all that's good in the cinematic medium; his films tend towards the exploitative,
capturing grotesque visuals and naked female bodies while usually made on the cheap and targeted
to the drive-in audiences of the 1970s and 1980s. Many have since
become cult classics for one reason or another -- justifiably so -- and most at least deliver focused
stories, even if the
nudity and violence sometimes seem wrenched into the plot. That notion of force-fed exploitation
is
taken to the extreme with Humanoids From the Deep, the picture one that's seemingly of
two distinct styles, ideas, and stories. Director Barbara Peeters' cut was deemed too tame, and
Roger
Corman ordered the film retooled to include more of his trademark elements into the final product;
many of the more hardcore elements -- particularly the creature-on-girl rape scenes -- were
completed by a different director. It's a formula for disaster, and indeed, it certainly
does no favors for Humanoids From the Deep, an admittedly fun but structurally-impaired
picture that just doesn't capture that Roger Corman magic.
Peek-a-boo!
Humanoids from the Deep's 1080p transfer is the best yet to come from Shout! Factory's Roger Corman Blu-ray releases. Like the other Corman titles, this one's littered with some excess noise, crushed blacks, random lines, dirt and debris, blooming, a few soft elements, and a bit of banding, but none of it, save for the noise, appears with any kind of excess. Given the picture's age, cheap production, and the like, it's a bit easier to dismiss the problems found about the transfer, particularly considering that some of them actually enhance the film's drive-in appeal while the image as a whole still benefits from the Blu-ray boost. Indeed, colors and details are surprisingly strong in many places; the opening minutes on a fishing boat feature nicely-rendered rusty and weathered surfaces while also capturing the nuances of the wooden deck and the trinkets scattered about the ship. Several exterior scenes come alive with nicely-detailed sand and dirt terrains and foliage. Colors are surprisingly steady and vibrant in many scenes, too, even if they do fade a bit in a few places, notably around some of the softer shots in the film. Humanoids From the Deep certainly doesn't stand toe-to-toe with some of the best of the new releases-turned-Blu-ray, but all things considered, this is a top-notch transfer from Shout! Factory.
Like Piranha, Humanoids from the Deep features a messy but adequate PCM 2.0 soundtrack. There's not much to this one; it's center-focused and rarely features any distinctive elements off to the sides. It's an ear-piercing track that's too loud at normal listening levels, and even though it's never lacking in volume, it wants for the crispness and spaciousness of better tracks, even those of the 2.0 variety. There are a few pops scattered about the track, while screams, music, and some dialogue sound shrill and indistinct. Several sound effects -- a ringing telephone, a few gunshots -- are also absent clarity and play instead like canned tape-recorded effects. Still, the track more often than not chugs along well enough; there are some jarring elements that will have listeners lamenting the absence of a more refined presentation, but things never get so bad as to ruin the experience.
Humanoids from the Deep's Blu-ray release sports a rather short assortment of extras
compared to Shout! Factory's other Roger Corman high definition releases. First up is The
Making of 'Humanoids From the Deep' Featuring New Interviews with Roger Corman, Second Unit
Director
James Sbardellati, Actress Linda Shayne (Miss Salmon), Composer James Horner, and Many
More (1080i, 22:42). As it's described, this is an interview piece that looks back on the
production through cast and crew interviews and clips from the film. The discussions include
Director Barbara Peeters' take on the film; the absence of exploitative elements in her cut; the lack
of thrills and scares; the cast and crew's displeasure with the final product; the elements such as
music, editing, and special effects that enhance the picture; the design of the creature suits; the
demanding nature of a Roger Corman production; the role of women in Roger Corman films; and
much more. This is a very strong, informative, and entertaining supplement that's more interesting
and worthwhile than the movie; it's a must-see companion to Humanoids From the Deep.
Leonard Malting Interviews Roger Corman on the Making of the Film (480p, 3:26) features
the famed producer and the longtime critic discussing the picture. Also included is a series of
"never-before-seen" deleted scenes (1080p, 7:19); a radio spot advertising
the film (1080p, 0:32); a TV spot (1080p, 0:32); a poster and still gallery (1080p); the
Humanoids
From the Deep trailers (480p) in English (1:47) and German (1:43); and additional 480p
trailers
for Galaxy of Terror,
Forbidden World, and
Up From the Depths. The case features reversible cover art and a full-color eight-page
booklet
with an introduction from Roger Corman and the essay "Half Man, Half Fish, All Good!" by Michael
Felsher.
Humanoids from the Deep is a disjointed and disappointing entry into the Roger Corman catalogue. It lacks a coherent structure and flow and can't seem to decide what in the world it is or wants to be. It's got all the hallmark elements of classic Corman exploitation rubbish, but the absence of stronger pacing and purpose -- even considering a third-tier film like this -- is too much for it to overcome. There's some nifty creature effects and gore to be found, though, not to mention a few decently intense scenes supported by a good early score from James Horner, but ultimately, Humanoids From the Deep sinks far more often than it swims. On the plus side, Shout! Factory's Blu-ray delivers a strong 1080p transfer, a midlevel soundtrack, and a nice but rather limited array of extras. Corman completists will want to pick this one up, but genre fans unfamiliar with the film would be smart to rent before committing to a purchase.
Mutant / Roger Corman's Cult Classics
1982
Collector's Edition
1978
Kino Cult #11
1977
2013
1980
20th Anniversary Edition
1995
Roger Corman's Cult Classics / Mindwarp: An Infinity of Terror / Planet of Horrors / Quest
1981
2013
1989
1981
1979
2015
1957
Collector's Edition
1981
2012
2010
2015
2K Restoration
1980
1958
1977