Cody, Robert, and Nat journey back to 1989 and a year of underwater adventure with LEVIATHAN.
1989 brought four underwater adventures to the big screen with DEEP STAR SIX, LORDS OF THE DEEP, and THE ABYSS joining LEVIATHAN. Obviously, THE ABYSS is the biggest name of the bunch, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things to discuss with LEVIATHAN.
Set in an undersea mining platform, LEVIATHAN is very similar to the setup of films like ALIEN and THE THING. A ragtag collection of workers bring back something unexpected that hides in humans and breaks out to wreak havoc. With the corporate powers that be seemingly more concerned about turning a profit than saving lives.
Directed by George P. Cosmatos, LEVIATHAN is an efficient 98 minutes with no pretensions. It’s probably to LEVIATHAN’s detriment that it aims low, but is its aim true? It certainly helps that the cast is stacked with solid and familiar actors like Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Hector Elizondo, Ernie Hudson, Daniel Stern, and Amanda Pays. With Stan Winston doing creature effects, there’s certainly the promise of a fun genre exercise.
Whether LEVIATHAN works or not is certainly something to be debated. Needless to say we have a lot to discuss on that very point. Not to mention, other things like a bizarre tonal shift at the end, where exactly is Meg Foster’s office, which is the bigger influence ALIEN or THE THING, Peter Weller’s acting career, what does the creature look like, and some general thoughts on the undersea adventure genre.
No need to set up a deep sea mining operation to listen to this episode. You can give us a play below or Download the episode. Also, feel free to let us know what you think by commenting below or Email Us at skiespocast@gmail.com as we appreciate feedback.
Time tracks:
LEVIATHAN Discussion: 0:00 to 56:29
Next Film and Outro: 56:29 to End
Next month, we are joined by guest Andy Digenova to discuss the film WATERWORLD and what it’s like designing a theme part attraction around that movie. We hope you’ll join us.
