Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Lords of the Deep Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 27, 2023

1989 was an incredible year for filmgoing, but it was also a strange year for releases. Suddenly, various producers and studios wanted to participate in a type of gold rush, with tales of horror and mystery involving an underwater setting all the rage. This wasn’t a usual situation of competing productions (e.g. an “Antz” vs. “A Bug’s Life” showdown), but a semi-quarterly event for movie theaters and video stores. The big one was James Cameron’s masterful “The Abyss,” which had a major budget and full studio support, gunning to be one of the major triumphs of a highly competitive summer. However, other efforts emerged, trying to capture the same audience, with “Deep Star Six,” “Leviathan,” and “The Evil Below” all attempting to bring the dangers of deep water to viewers perhaps slightly confused as to why there was suddenly a stampede of aquatic endeavors demanding their attention. Never one to leave a dime behind, producer Roger Corman wanted in on the trend, offering “Lords of the Deep” to the masses. Corman being Corman, little money has been spent on the feature, which boasts the talents of people involved with “Aliens” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” to deliver special effects, coming up with a small-scale understanding of an alien visitation, mixed with a little corporate menace. “Lords of the Deep” is very silly, but director Mary Ann Fisher (this being her sole helming credit) at least tries to do something with what little she has to work with, trying to summon suspense with minor moments of alarm, gradually building to a sci-fi payoff that’s hilariously short on epic qualities.

In the year 2020, Earth has struggled, with the corporations of the world establishing an undersea habitat for a team of scientists to work on solving the mysteries of the ocean, with the operation financed by the Martel Corporation. Stuart (Bradford Dillman) is the leader of the unit, offering firm control over all operations, joined by lackey Stanley (Greg Sobeck). Dr. Claire (Priscilla Barnes) is a scientist who’s made an incredible discovery, coming into contact with a slimy mystery substance she brings into her lab for additional analysis. She’s curious about the finding, which has the ability to tap into her mind, offering visions she doesn’t immediately understand. She shares her research with the rest of the crew, including lover Jack (Daryl Haney), but experimentation is interrupted by a major earthquake, sending maintenance man Chadwick (Richard Young) to check on damage. His wetsuit is soon found, but filled with a jelly-like substance, with these remains kept in a tank for analysis. The blob soon forms into a creature, and one curious about humanity, with the entity targeting Claire for communication, while Stuart remains paranoid and destructive, trying to prevent the discovery from escaping the lab.

The Earth is dying, but it’s not so bad for the Martel Corporation, with an unidentified executive (Roger Corman, in a quick cameo) keeping track of the experience in the undersea habitat. The lab is home to a small crew, many of whom are excited to meet their replacements as the team ends their term, promising a better tomorrow for those ready to take off in their submersibles. What kind of world they’re returning to isn’t clear, but “Lords of the Deep” doesn’t have the time to do much in the way of world-building, largely containing its adventure to the lab space, which is basically a few hallways and rooms, pushing Fisher to make the sets feel like a massive underwater building. It’s a task the helmer often fumbles.

A plot for “Lords of the Deep” emerges with a discovery of a goopy substance, with Dr. Claire drawn to the sample, which sends her on a “2001”- esque journey of the mind when she makes contact with the slime. The screenplay (by Howard R. Cohen and Daryl Haney) tries to build personalities with the rest of the crew, but mostly focuses on Jack, who’s in love with Claire, trying to be there for his lover as the situation worsens. And Stuart is the man in charge with no real power, as others generally blow off his orders, sending him into a rage. An earthquake shakes up the lab and the story, and soon an alien presence is developing in a holding aquarium, with the blob becoming a large Manta ray-like creature, inspiring Dr. Claire to figure out if the being is here to destroy humans or trying to help them.

“Lords of the Deep” rarely visits the underwater kingdom, but a few trips across the ocean floor feature passable special effects, at least by Corman standards. Unfortunately, the material is more interested in the corporate control subplot (a.k.a. going all Weyland-Yutani on the employees), with the crew facing trouble from those looking to keep secrets about the lab, resulting in a few scenes where characters are locked in spaces with depleted oxygen levels. Because choking is cheaper than drowning. Dr. Claire has her own odyssey of alien discovery, with the earnestness of such an encounter failing to balance with cheapy horror events that also fill the mercifully short run time.

Lords of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Lords of the Deep" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, sourced from a "new 2K scan of the original negative." Detail is strong, with a sense of skin particulars, examining tight close-ups on the actors, while alien textures are also present, exploring puppet creations. Interiors in the lab preserve low-budget design achievements, examining this plywood creation and its many decorative additions. Special effects are open for inspection, exploring the deep with miniatures. Colors are alert, with full primaries on technological additions in the lab, and the Epcot-like uniforms retain a deep blue and pink appearance. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is film-like. Source is in good shape, with some mild wobble.

Lords of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix fights the inherent limitations of the production and some elements of age. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, with some sibilance issues found along the way. Scoring cues are decent, with passable clarity and support. Sound effects and atmospherics are a little flawed at times, sounding a tad distorted.

Lords of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Mystery Science Theater 3000"(78:49, HD) is a 2018 episode of the beloved comedy series, with Jonah (Jonah Ray), Crow T. Robot (Hampton Yount), and Tom Servo (Baron Vaughn) taking on "Lords of the Deep."

• And a Trailer (1:23, SD) is included.

Lords of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Lords of the Deep" isn't "The Abyss," though it shares a few concepts with the Cameron film, emerging as a gentler eco-minded offering in the end, trying to say something about planetary ruination. However, there isn't enough money to support a vivid underwater adventure, with Corman aiming to keep things affordable and simple when the screenplay hopes to blow minds with its study of alien contact. "Lords of the Deep" has a terrific title, but there's little else here that lives up to expectations, with the quickie production basically out to catch a ride on a trend, keeping production goals limited, while awe is more of a suggestion than a demand.