Review of Swamp Thing

Brilliant and kindly scientist Dr. Alec Holland (a fine Ray Wise) is working on a special growth formula in a laboratory that's located in a secluded swampland area. Holland mutates into a half-man, half-plant hybrid creature called Swamp Thing (amiable Dick Durock in a nifty rubber suit) after being drenched with his serum by suavely wicked arch nemesis Anton Arcane (delightfully played with lip-smacking hammy relish by Louis Jourdan). Swamp Thing protects brassy CIA agent Alice Cable (a marvelously tough and sassy portrayal by Adrienne Barbeau) from Arcane and his nasty flunkies. Writer/director Wes Craven handles the cheerfully silly premise in a suitably garish comic book style, keeps the pace snappy throughout, stages the plentiful action with rip-roaring brio, delivers a strong and vivid evocation of the murky marshland setting (the authentic South Carolina locations are a major plus), does a sound job of creating a hugely entertaining tongue-in-cheek tone, and tops things off with a welcome sense of self-mocking humor. Moreover, Swamp Thing makes for a strangely moving and sympathetic protagonist; there's a real sense of heart evident in the depiction of his lonely plight that's both touching and surprising. The cast have a ball with their broadly drawn roles: Barbeau is a brash treat as the fiercely self-reliant heroine, Jourdan chews the scenery with eye-rolling gusto, David Hess excels in one of his standard sleazy villain parts as the vicious Ferret, Nicholas Worth likewise does well as the doltish Bruno, and Reggie Batts almost steals the whole show with his very natural and amusing deadpan performance as hip, but laid-back black teenage gas station attendant Jude. In addition, this film comes through with a few inspired outrageous touches: Bruno becomes a pathetic midget monster after drinking the formula, Swamp Thing has one of his arms chopped off, but grows a new one in its place, and Arcane transforms into a crazed werewolf lizard beast that engages in a lively to-the-death climactic fight with Swamp Thing. Robbie Greenberg's cinematography makes nice use of elaborate fades and wipes. Harry Manfredini supplies a rousing, spirited score. An enormously enjoyable romp.